Israel carried out a strike Wednesday night on Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking the first attack on the Dahiyeh since the ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 and was later extended under U.S.-backed mediation efforts.
The strike targeted a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, according to a joint statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
“We instructed the attack in Beirut against the commander of the Radwan force in the Hezbollah terrorist organization in order to thwart him,” the statement said. Israeli officials accused Radwan operatives of responsibility for attacks on northern Israeli communities and Israeli soldiers.
“No terrorist has immunity; Israel’s long arm will reach every enemy and murderer,” the statement added.
First strike on Dahiyeh since ceasefire
This marks the first Israeli strike on Hezbollah’s main stronghold in Beirut since the ceasefire was brokered in April following weeks of escalating confrontation.
While Israeli operations have continued in southern Lebanon despite the truce, strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs have effectively stopped under the ceasefire framework.
The ceasefire agreement, announced after direct U.S.-mediated contacts involving Lebanese and Israeli officials, included provisions allowing Israel to respond to what it considers imminent or ongoing threats while halting broader offensive operations against Lebanese territory.
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