A devastating explosion shook the streets of southern Beirut on Tuesday evening following what Israel claimed to be a "targeted strike" against a Hezbollah commander. The Israeli military stated that the strike was in response to a rocket attack from Hezbollah over the weekend that resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 children in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack that prompted the Israeli retaliation.

Witnesses reported chaos near the location of the explosion as roads were closed off, and an ambulance rushed to the scene. People could be heard yelling in distress as they ran towards the blast site, with some expressing concern for their family members who were caught in the incident. Lebanon's state media indicated that a building in the southern suburbs collapsed due to what was described as "an enemy attack," though Hezbollah has not issued a statement yet.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the targeted Hezbollah commander was identified as Fouad Shukr. When asked if the target was killed in the strike, the official responded with "TBD," indicating that the outcome of the operation was still unclear. The Israeli Defense Minister warned of retaliation for the rocket attack attributed to Hezbollah, stating that the group had crossed a "red line."

Amid international calls for restraint, U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel reiterated the United States' unwavering support for Israel in defending itself against threats posed by Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah. The White House expressed concerns over a potential escalation of hostilities on the Israel-Lebanon border and emphasized the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to reduce tensions. U.S. diplomats believe that reaching a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could help defuse the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The recent strike in Beirut comes amidst ongoing exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah along their shared border since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza last October. The international community remains wary of a further escalation that could lead to a full-scale war, while U.S. officials emphasize the need to prioritize diplomatic efforts in order to prevent a broader regional conflict from erupting.