Israel has struck the Lebanese capital Beirut for only the second time since the ceasefire began last month. The IDF said the attack was carried out in a "targeted manner" and Israeli media identified the target as Ali al-Husni, head of the missile force in the Iranian-backed Imam Hossein Division.
Thick smoke was seen over the Shia suburb of Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold. The strike came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of ground operations. Israel's largest evacuation order since the ceasefire covered some 300 towns, prompting a new wave of displacement. At least 11 were killed in Tyre area strikes Thursday.
Both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of ceasefire violations. The escalation threatens broader US-brokered talks that aim to end the war between Israel and Iran. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on March 2, 2023. At least 3,224 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began.