Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs for 1st time after ceasefire, claims targeting top Hezbollah commander

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM -- Israel launched an airstrike on the municipality of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday evening, Lebanon's TV channel al-Jadeed reported.

An Israeli warship fired three missiles at a residential apartment in the area, causing heavy destruction and prompting ambulances to rush to the site, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the airstrike in a joint statement, saying it targeted Malki Blout, commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Force, "in an attempt to neutralize him."

Blout was "responsible for directing fire toward Israeli communities and targeting soldiers," the statement said.

The two stressed that no militant "would be granted immunity," saying the Israeli military would reach anyone involved in attacks against Israelis.

According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV, Israeli security officials believe Blout was killed in the strike, which they said was coordinated with the United States.

It marked the first Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17.