Israel carried out an airstrike on Beirut on Thursday, marking the first such operation in the Lebanese capital in almost a month, according to Israeli officials who identified the target as a senior commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the strike was aimed at eliminating a high-ranking member of the specialized unit, which is considered Hezbollah's most advanced combat formation. The officials did not immediately provide details on whether the operation successfully neutralized its intended target or information about potential casualties.

The strike represents a significant escalation after a nearly month-long pause in Israeli military operations against the Lebanese capital. The timing and target selection suggest Israeli intelligence had identified a high-value opportunity that warranted breaking the operational hiatus.

The Radwan Force, named after Imad Mughniyeh's nom de guerre, is Hezbollah's elite commando unit specifically trained for potential cross-border operations into Israeli territory. Israeli defense officials have long identified the unit as a primary threat, particularly concerning potential infiltration scenarios along the northern border.

Lebanese authorities have not yet released official casualty figures or damage assessments from the strike. The operation comes amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where periodic exchanges of fire have occurred in recent months.

International observers will be watching closely for Hezbollah's response to the targeted killing of one of its senior commanders, as such operations have historically prompted retaliatory actions. The strike also raises questions about whether Israel is entering a new phase of operations against Hezbollah's leadership structure.

The Radwan Force has been a focal point of Israeli military planning and intelligence gathering for years. Israeli officials have repeatedly warned about the unit's capabilities and its potential role in any future conflict scenario involving Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group that maintains significant influence in Lebanese politics and controls substantial military capabilities in southern Lebanon.