Israel launched fresh airstrikes on southern Beirut, escalating tensions with Hezbollah despite a ceasefire announced last month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel would show “no leniency” toward its enemies, warning that no militant group is beyond the country’s reach.
The strikes marked the first major Israeli attack on the Beirut area since the ceasefire was declared. Israeli military officials claimed the operation killed a commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force.
Israel Claims Hezbollah Commander Killed
According to the Israeli military, the targeted commander was identified as Ahmad Ali Balout, a senior figure within Hezbollah’s special Radwan unit.
Hezbollah, which controls large parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, has not yet officially commented on either the strike or the reported death of the commander.
The militant group stated that it carried out 17 operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. In response, the Israeli military said it struck more than 15 militant targets across southern Lebanon the same day.
Local reports indicated that at least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes across three separate areas in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.
Hamas Negotiator’s Son Killed in Gaza Strike
Meanwhile, tensions also intensified in Gaza Strip amid ongoing U.S.-mediated negotiations over the future of Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed that Azzam al-Hayya, the son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, died following an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday night.
According to Hamas officials, Azzam al-Hayya was critically injured in the strike before later succumbing to his wounds. He is reportedly the fourth son of Khalil al-Hayya killed during the conflict.
Khalil al-Hayya currently serves as Hamas’ exiled Gaza leader and is playing a leading role in negotiations backed by the United States.
The Israeli military has not issued an immediate statement regarding the strike.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Political Pressure
Hamas accused Israel of using targeted strikes to increase political pressure and gain leverage in ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
Separately, Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported that three police officers were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a police post in western Gaza City on Thursday.
The latest developments highlight growing regional instability as fighting continues across multiple fronts involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
