Israel strikes Beirut for the first attack in months, says it targeted Hezbollah militant
The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff in the first airstrike in Beirut since June.
The military did not provide further details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech at a government meeting on Sunday that Israel “will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its threatening capability against us.”
“This is also how we operate in Gaza: Hamas constantly violates the ceasefire, and we act accordingly, independent of anyone,” he said, adding at the end: “Israel is responsible for its security.”
Hezbollah said the strike, launched almost exactly a year after the end of the ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, risked an escalation of attacks.
Mahmoud Qamati, vice chairman of Hezbollah’s political council, told reporters that a high-ranking militant may have been killed, but did not give details.
“Hezbollah leaders are studying the question of response and will make the appropriate decision,” Qamati said at the scene of the attack. “Today’s strike in the southern suburbs opens the door to an escalation of attacks throughout Lebanon.”
Israel did not issue an evacuation warning before the strike.
Smoke was visible in the busy Haret Hreik neighborhood, with video circulating on social media showing dozens of people gathered around the strike area, which appeared to be in an apartment building.
No information was immediately provided on the victims.
FADEL itani /AFP via Getty Images 
The strike in the south of the capital comes a few days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the country and as Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks.
Israel and the United States have been pressuring Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. The Lebanese army has released a government-approved plan to disarm Hezbollah.
Israel says Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon, although the Lebanese government has denied the claims.
