Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli airstrike in Beirut amid ceasefire claims

International Desk. PNN
An Israeli airstrike has once again targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. Israel claims that Malek Balu, a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, was killed in the attack.

Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck the Ghubairi area in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday. Loud explosions and significant damage were reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strike, saying he had ordered the military, along with the defence minister, to carry out targeted operations. He claimed that Radwan Force members were involved in attacks on Israeli settlements and soldiers.

Netanyahu said, “No terrorist is safe; Israel will find every enemy.” He also said that such operations are being carried out to ensure the safety of residents in northern Israel. However, Hezbollah has not yet issued an official response.

According to reports, this was the first major strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs after a ceasefire came into effect on April 17 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Despite the ceasefire, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violations. In recent times, casualties have been reported in Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon.

A correspondent from Tyre told Al Jazeera that the southern suburbs of Beirut were relatively calm at the time of the strike, with many residents returning after the ceasefire. The attack created widespread panic.

Separate Israeli strikes in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Wednesday reportedly killed at least four people.

Reports say that more than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon during the ongoing conflict. Israel, on the other hand, claims that 17 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed.

Analysts believe that such attacks, despite a ceasefire, could further escalate tensions in the Middle East.