Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs in first attacks since ceasefire

Israel on Wednesday evening launched airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, the first such attack on the area since a ceasefire with Lebanon took effect in mid-April, Lebanese TV channel al-Jadeed reported.

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

The agency also reported intensive low-altitude flights by Israeli military drones over Beirut and its southern suburbs.

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.

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.

NNA said that Israeli airstrikes and artillery on Wednesday killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens more across southern and eastern Lebanon, including a village mayor and his three family members.

Hezbollah claimed retaliatory attacks on Israeli military vehicles and troop gatherings.

The violence came despite a ceasefire that took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17 and was extended on April 23 for an additional three weeks.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center, Israeli strikes between March 2 and May 6 have killed 2,715 people and injured 8,353 others.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that "it is still premature" to discuss any potential meeting with Netanyahu.

"Any high-level meeting with the Israeli side requires extensive preparations," Salam said, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Lebanon is not seeking "normalization with Israel, but rather peace," he said, adding that consolidating the ceasefire would form the basis for any new round of negotiations that may be held in Washington.

"The minimum of our demands is a timetable for Israel's withdrawal, and we will develop a plan to restrict weapons to the hands of the state," Salem added.

Also on Wednesday, Russian state media RIA Novosti, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, reported that Lebanon and Israel will hold their third round of talks in Washington next week.

Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs in first attacks since ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday dismissed reports that Israel was caught off guard by Washington's diplomatic moves toward Iran, saying that he is in near-daily contact with U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure full coordination.

"We are in continuous contact with our friends in the United States," Netanyahu said. "I speak with President Trump on an almost daily basis. My people and his people speak daily, including today," he said.

He added that he has a planned phone call with Trump again later Wednesday night.

Israel is "ready for all scenarios" in dealing with Iran, Netanyahu said, adding that Israel and the United States share the same goals, "with the most important goal being the removal of enriched material from Iran".

Israeli officials have voiced support for renewing attacks on Iran, claiming its nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile stockpiles remain a concern.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump issued a fresh ultimatum, telling Iran to accept a deal to end the war or face a new wave of bombing "at a much higher level and intensity than it was before".

On the same day, Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir toured southern Lebanon following fresh Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese targets, telling commanders they face "no limits" in operations against Hezbollah.

Zamir also framed the fighting along the border as part of a broader regional campaign, saying Israel remained prepared for wider operations across the Middle East, including potential action against Iran.

"In Iran, we have an additional series of targets ready to be struck," he said. "We are on high alert to return to a powerful and broad campaign that will enable us to deepen our achievements and further weaken the Iranian government."

Despite Lebanese calls to halt the attacks and a fragile ceasefire that took effect last month, Israeli strikes have continued.

Israel on Wednesday evening launched its first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since a ceasefire with Lebanon took effect in mid-April, Lebanon's TV channel Al-Jadeed reported.

Netanyahu says Israel fully coordinated with US on Iran, prepared for "any scenarios"