Israel conducted a strike in Beirut on Wednesday, marking the first attack since the ceasefire with Hezbollah last month. The Israeli military targeted a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in the southern suburbs of the city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation in a joint statement. While Israeli media reported the death of the commander, there was no immediate verification from either the Israeli military or Hezbollah.
The ceasefire in Lebanon has also affected the broader truce between the U.S. and Iran, with the cessation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon being a crucial demand from Iran. Despite progress in negotiations between Iran and the U.S., the recent strikes jeopardize the fragile ceasefire that halted Israeli attacks on Beirut. Israeli forces have maintained their presence south of the Litani River, and strikes have persisted in southern Lebanon.
In response to the Israeli strikes, Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, has retaliated by launching armed drones and firing at Israeli soldiers. Israel issued evacuation orders for several villages north of the Litani River, indicating a potential expansion of its operational zone.
While discussions between Israel and Lebanon have been ongoing, they have primarily occurred at the ambassadorial level. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized the importance of strengthening the ceasefire before engaging in high-level talks with Israel. This sentiment was echoed by President Joseph Aoun, who stressed the need for a security agreement and a halt to Israeli attacks before considering a meeting with Netanyahu. Lebanon aims to secure Hezbollah’s disarmament by implementing measures to control the distribution of weapons.
The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirming fatalities from Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military reported injuries to its soldiers from Hezbollah’s drone and rocket attacks in the region. The violence has claimed over 2,700 lives in Lebanon since the conflict began, with ongoing hostilities continuing to escalate tensions between the two adversaries.