Israel strikes Beirut suburbs for first time since ceasefire, targets Radwan commander

Wednesday, May 6, 2026Developing

World Desk

What we know

Israel carried out an airstrike Wednesday evening on Beirut's southern suburbs (Dahiyeh/Haret Hreik), the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital area since the mid-April ceasefire with Hezbollah, BBC, Reuters, DW and Al Jazeera reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they ordered the strike to target a commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, accusing him of directing fire at Israeli communities and IDF soldiers.

Local reports said the attack hit around 8 p.m. local time with no prior warning; images showed flames and heavy damage to at least one building. Hezbollah did not immediately comment. Fighting has continued in southern Lebanon despite the capital-area pause until Wednesday. AP noted more than 2,500 people have died in Lebanon since fighting intensified in early March. Formal IDF confirmation of the commander's death came in subsequent reporting.

What's confirmed

BBC/Reuters: First Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs since the April 16–17 ceasefire; Netanyahu said he personally approved targeting a Radwan commander (BBC, Reuters).
DW/AP: Joint Netanyahu-Katz statement said Radwan operatives were responsible for attacks on Israeli communities and IDF soldiers; "no terrorist is immune" (DW, AP).
WaPo/Al Jazeera: Strike hit Haret Hreik in Dahiyeh; local officials reported at least one killed; southern Lebanon saw additional Israeli strikes the same day (WaPo, Al Jazeera).
AP: Last major Beirut strikes were April 8; truce with Hezbollah was announced mid-April while southern hostilities never fully stopped (AP).
Reuters: Hostilities in the south have continued even as capital-area strikes had paused until Wednesday (Reuters).

What's still developing

Formal identification and confirmation of who was killed in the Dahiyeh strike.
Hezbollah's response and any further capital-area targeting.
Impact on U.S.-hosted Israel-Lebanon talks still scheduled for mid-May.

Sources

BBC — Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Hezbollah ceasefire link
Reuters — Israel says carried out strike targeting commander of Hezbollah's elite force link
Washington Post — Israel strikes Beirut suburbs, threatening already shaky ceasefire link
Al Jazeera — Israel bombs Beirut's southern suburb as it targets Radwan Force commander link
DW — Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire link
AP — US fires on Iranian oil tanker… (Beirut strike section) link