Israel strikes Beirut, says it killed head of Hezbollah elite force
BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 6 (UPI) -- Israel carried out a strike Wednesday on a residential building in Beirut's southern suburbs for the first time since the April 17 cease-fire, reportedly killing the commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force and others, Lebanese and Israeli reports said.
Three missiles hit an apartment in a residential building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood in the southern suburbs, Hezbollah's main stronghold, the official Lebanese news agency and Hezbollah's Al Manar TV reported.
Israeli websites quoted Israeli officials as saying the strike, the first on the Lebanese capital since a cease-fire to halt 46 days of Hezbollah-Israeli war went into effect, was coordinated with the United States and killed Hezbollah Radwan commander Malek Balout, his deputy and several other members of the force.
There was no immediate confirmation by Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement they ordered the Israeli Army to try to assassinate Balout, whose force was responsible for firing rockets at northern Israel and harming Israeli soldiers.
They warned that "no terrorist has immunity" despite the cease-fire and that they would keep the government's promise to restore security for Israel's northern residents.
It was the first such attack on Beirut since April 8, when Israel carried out 100 strikes in 10 minutes in the heart of the capital and across Lebanon, claiming to have killed 300 Hezbollah members.
On that day, at least 376 people were killed, including 31 children and 99 women, and 1,223 injured, including 154 children and 378 women.
According to the Israeli websites, Balout has led the Radwan force since January 2024, when his predecessor, Wissam al-Tawil, was killed.
Several top Radwan Force commanders have been killed since the 2023 war, which broke out when Hezbollah opened a support front for Gaza.
Wednesday night's strike on Haret Hreik prompted hundreds of southern suburbs residents to flee the area on foot and in cars, while ambulances rushed to the site to evacuate the casualties. It also caused considerable damage to the targeted building and its surroundings.
The attack occurred despite U.S. President Donald Trump requesting Netanyahu to halt striking Beirut and targeting residential buildings.
It also came as Lebanon prepares for a third meeting with Israel scheduled for next week in Washington to pave the way for starting direct negotiations on ending the war and reaching a peace deal.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 1:27 PM.