An Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs has killed four people and injured seven, Lebanon’s health ministry reported, marking another escalation despite an ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The strike, which occurred overnight in the Dahieh district, an area known for Hezbollah’s strong presence was Israel’s second attack on Beirut in recent days.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating that it targeted Hassan Ali Mahmoud Bdeir, a Hezbollah operative allegedly involved in planning a terror attack against Israeli civilians.

“Due to the immediate threat posed, we acted to eliminate him and removed the threat,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) said in a joint statement.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun called the attack a “dangerous warning,” while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced it as a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire.

Images from the scene show severe damage to the top three floors of an apartment building, with debris scattered across the streets.

The attack follows Israel’s first strike on Beirut since the ceasefire began in November 2024, which officially ended over 13 months of conflict with Hezbollah.

Israel claimed that the strike targeted a Hezbollah drone storage facility after two rockets were launched from southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah denied involvement in the rocket attack and has publicly committed to the ceasefire. However, Israeli forces continue near-daily airstrikes on suspected Hezbollah-linked targets, arguing that they are preventing the group from rearming.

Lebanon’s government maintains that Israel’s actions, including ongoing military presence in five locations in southern Lebanon constitute violations of the truce.

Hezbollah launched its latest military campaign following Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The war escalated into intense Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, leading to over 4,000 Lebanese deaths, including civilians, and the displacement of 1.2 million people.

Israel has justified its operations as necessary for securing its northern border and allowing 60,000 displaced Israeli civilians to return to their homes.

Israeli airstrike on Beirut kills four, Lebanon condemns as ceasefire violations