Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Kills Hezbollah Operative
Lebanon’s health ministry has confirmed that an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed four people, including a Hezbollah operative. The attack, which also injured seven others, was Israel’s second strike on the area in days, raising concerns about the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike as a "dangerous warning," while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called it a "flagrant violation" of the truce.
Israel’s military stated that the strike targeted Hassan Ali Mahmoud Bdeir, a Hezbollah member who allegedly helped Hamas plan an imminent attack. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the action, saying Bdeir posed "a real and immediate threat." Hezbollah has not responded to the accusations, but a party lawmaker described the strike as a serious escalation.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have remained high despite the ceasefire, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Israel has continued airstrikes in Lebanon, citing security threats, while Hezbollah has denied involvement in recent rocket attacks. The U.S. State Department attributed the renewed hostilities to “terrorists” launching rockets from Lebanon and supported Israel’s response.
