Netanyahu says “No terrorist will have immunity in Beirut” as Israeli strikes escalate across Lebanon
Air raids hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and multiple towns in southern Lebanon, causing casualties, displacement, and continued search operations as fears of further escalation grow.
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Yesterday’s Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs marked a notable escalation, bringing back into focus the US imposed restriction preventing Israel from targeting Beirut and its southern suburbs since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on April 16.
While the Israeli army confirmed the killing of Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout, commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, also known as “Malek Ballout,” in a strike targeting a residential apartment in Haret Hreik on Wednesday evening, Hezbollah has so far neither confirmed nor denied the success of the assassination operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the strike by saying: “No terrorist will enjoy immunity in Beirut,” adding: “Yesterday, we eliminated operatives in Lebanon and Gaza who were working against our forces.”
Netanyahu also said: “Over the past month, we have eliminated more than 200 Hezbollah operatives who were acting against us.”
Who is Radwan Force commander Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout “Malek Ballout”?
According to the Israeli army, Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout serves as a commander in the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite special forces and commando unit.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee also published footage on the X platform showing the moment the strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs was carried out with three missiles on Wednesday night.
Over the years, Ballout held a series of positions within the Radwan Force, including operations commander. In this role, he was responsible for the unit’s combat readiness and preparations for fighting against the Israeli army.
The Israeli army also claimed that Ballout directed Radwan Force operatives during the recent war and led and supervised dozens of plans against the Israeli military in southern Lebanon, including anti-tank missile attacks and the deployment of explosive devices.
The Israeli army statement added: "Balout was involved in efforts to rebuild the capabilities of the (Radwan Force) unit, especially the so-called plan (Occupation of the Galilee) which has been developed by the unit over years where it operates with funding and directives from the Iranian regime to target the Israeli army."
The scene in the southern suburbs of Beirut today
Hours after the Israeli targeting, residents' movements were cautious throughout the southern suburbs of Beirut, which witnessed the displacement of dozens of families overnight, fearing the renewal of the Israeli air campaign.
The colleague Houssam Shabaro documented footage of debris clearing from the targeted apartment in Haret Hreik today, where civil defense teams and the "Islamic Health Authority" continue search operations at the site of the raid.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health has not yet announced the toll of the raid, while Annahar's correspondent reported two casualties and seven injuries last night.
Beirut and its southern suburbs have not been subjected to any Israeli bombing since the destruction of "Black Wednesday" on April 8th, when Israeli warplanes launched intense raids on Lebanon resulting in more than 350 casualties.
Escalation in southern Lebanon
In parallel with the growing concern in Beirut, Israel continues to carry out intense airstrikes on villages in southern Lebanon, while also issuing new evacuation warnings to residents of the towns of Deir El Zahrani, Bafrouh, and Habbouch in the Nabatieh district.
Israeli aircraft also carried out strikes on the towns of Debbin, Kfar Sir, Zawtar al Sharqiya, and Arnoun.
At dawn, an Israeli strike targeted a pickup vehicle on the Habbouch road near the Vehicle Registration Office building (Nafaa), resulting in two fatalities, according to the National News Agency.
In another incident, an Israeli drone struck a car carrier truck near the Safa station on the Meifdoun road, with reports also indicating one person was killed.
غارة إسرائيلية على بلدة النبطية في جنوب لبنان pic.twitter.com/IxnwpvqWzj
— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) May 7, 2026