Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since ceasefire

Israel struck Beirut for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire ​with Hezbollah last month, with Israel saying it targeted a commander of the militant group's elite Radwan force in the city's ‌southern suburbs on Wednesday (May 6).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the action in a joint statement. Israeli media reported that the commander was killed in the strike, but there was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military or Hezbollah.

The Lebanon ceasefire has underpinned a broader U.S.-Iran truce, with a halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon being a key Iranian demand, reports Reuters.

As Iran ​and the U.S. say they are drawing closer to a deal to halt their conflict, the strikes threaten the ceasefire that halted Israeli attacks on Beirut. Israeli troops have remained in ​areas south of the Litani River and strikes continued in southern Lebanon.

Iran ally Hezbollah has responded by firing and launching armed drones towards ⁠Israeli soldiers.

Israel earlier on Wednesday called for residents to evacuate several villages north of the Litani River, which could represent an expansion of Israel's zone ​of action.

Talks between Israel and Lebanon have continued, but have largely been at the ambassador level.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Wednesday that it was premature ​to talk of any high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel.