Israel has carried out an air strike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire was agreed last month, while US forces said they fired on an Iranian-flagged tanker that attempted to breach a blockade.
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The Israeli military said the strike in Beirut targeted a senior commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan force, an elite unit responsible for operations against Israel.
Israeli officials said the commander had overseen attacks on Israeli communities and operations that harmed Israeli soldiers.
Israeli media reported that the military believes the targeted commander was killed in the strike, though Hezbollah has not confirmed the claim.
Strike on Beirut
The attack marks the first Israeli strike on Beirut since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect last month.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the target was a commander whose fighters had been involved in attacks against Israeli civilians and members of the Israel Defense Forces.
According to the Israeli military, the Radwan force commander’s unit had been responsible for firing toward Israeli communities and conducting operations against Israeli troops.
No immediate confirmation has been issued by Hezbollah regarding the commander’s fate.
While the ceasefire halted large-scale fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border have remained high.
Continued strikes in southern Lebanon
Despite the truce, Israeli operations in southern Lebanon have continued in recent weeks.
Israeli officials say the strikes are aimed at Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure that they claim still pose a threat to Israeli territory.
The latest attack on Beirut signals an escalation compared with recent strikes, which had largely been confined to areas in southern Lebanon near the border.
Local sources reported explosions in the Lebanese capital following the strike.
US fires on Iranian tanker
Separately, the United States military said its forces fired several rounds at an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday after the vessel attempted to sail toward an Iranian port despite a blockade.
US Central Command said the tanker was not carrying cargo.
In a statement, the command said American forces had repeatedly warned the vessel that it was violating the US-imposed blockade before opening fire.
“American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockade,” the statement said.
Oil prices fall despite tensions
Even as military tensions continued in the region, oil prices dropped sharply on Wednesday.
Prices fell below $100 per barrel and reached $89 after signs that the United States and Iran could be nearing an agreement that may end the conflict between them.
The war between the two countries has lasted for more than two months.
Markets appeared to respond to the possibility that hostilities could ease if an agreement is reached.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 May 2026
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