Israel hits Beirut's Dahieh, targeting Hezbollah

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- Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut's southern Dahieh district at about 20:00 local time (18:00 BST), hitting a building used by Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.
- Benjamin Netanyahu personally approved the strike, saying it targeted a commander responsible for attacks on Israeli communities and soldiers.
- Lebanon health ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed more than 120 people across Lebanon in the past week, including women and children, without distinguishing combatants from civilians.
- Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and drones at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, despite the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on 16 April.
- US‑mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon remain at the ambassador level, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejecting a meeting with Netanyahu in the near term.
Why it matters: Israel's strike escalates the fragile ceasefire, increasing civilian casualties (120+ deaths) and undermining US‑brokered talks, while Hezbollah's retaliation risks further regional instability and hampers Lebanon's reconstruction prospects.

