An Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed four people, including senior Hezbollah figure Hassan Bdeir, early Tuesday, according to a Lebanese security source. The strike is the second in five days on the Hezbollah stronghold, further straining an already fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group.
The Israeli military said Bdeir was involved with Iran’s Quds Force and had helped Hamas plan a “significant and imminent terror attack” against Israeli civilians. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that the strike also injured seven people.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim Moussawi condemned the attack as “a major and severe aggression” that escalates tensions. He called on the Lebanese government to engage in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, also denounced the strike, calling it a violation of UN Resolution 1701, which underpins the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the strike, stating that the targeted operative posed “a real and immediate threat.” He called on Lebanon to take action against militant groups operating within its borders.
A Reuters journalist at the scene described extensive damage to the upper floors of a residential building, with families evacuating in the aftermath. Unlike a previous Israeli strike last Friday, no advance warning was issued before the attack.
The broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited last year when Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war. The ensuing hostilities displaced over a million people, with Lebanon reporting at least 3,768 deaths by November. Hezbollah and Lebanese officials accuse Israel of maintaining an illegal presence in the south, while Israel insists Hezbollah still operates in violation of the ceasefire terms.
The U.S. State Department backed Israel’s actions, blaming Hezbollah and other militant groups for the resumption of hostilities. A spokesperson stated that hostilities had escalated because “terrorists launched rockets into Israel from Lebanon,” and reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel’s response.