Israel carried out its first attack in Beirut after almost a month amid a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, the IDF said in a statement on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike targeted the commander of Hezbolla's elite Radwan force, which has been "responsible for firing [rockets] at Israeli communities and harming IDF soldiers."
"The IDF has just struck in Beirut the commander of the Radwan Force in the Hezbollah terror organization to eliminate him," the statement added.
"No terrorist has immunity, Israel's long arm will reach every enemy and murderer. We promised to bring security to the residents of the north. This is how we act, and this is how we will continue to act."
It is unclear whether the strike will have an impact in talks with Lebanese officials, who demanded a ceasefire to engage in negotiations with Israel for the first time in decades. Iran has also demanded the stop of hostilities in Lebanon to pursue negotiations with the U.S.
Axios reported on Wednesday that the U.S. and iran are getting close to a one-page memorandum of understanding with 14 points to end the war and usher detailed nuclear negotiations.
The U.S. expects Iran to response to key issues before the end of the week, the outlet added. Among them are a moratorium on nuclear enrichment and lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S., in turn, would lift sanctions on the country and end its own restrictions in the key waterway.
If agreed, the document would declare an end to the war and begin a 30-day period in which the Strait of Hormuz would gradually reopen while discussions take place. Should they collapse, the U.S. would be able to resume its blockade and military actions.
Netanyahu reacted to the development, saying that he will speak with President Donald Trump today. The remarks, which followed a security cabinet meeting, appears to intend to push back on reports that he was surprised by progress in negotiations.
"There is full coordination between us — no surprises," Netanyahu added. "We share common goals, and the most important goal is the removal of the enriched material from Iran—all of the enriched material—and the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities."
He went on to say that Trump believes he can achieve this one way or another" but Israel is "prepared for any scenario, and that is also my directive to the IDF and our security agencies."
