Israel carried out an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday, targeting a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, in the first strike on the Lebanese capital’s outskirts since a ceasefire took effect on April 16.

In a joint statement issued shortly after the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military had targeted “the commander of the Radwan Force in the Hezbollah terror organization” in an attempt to eliminate him.

The statement said operatives from the Radwan Force had been responsible for rocket fire targeting Israeli communities and attacks against Israeli troops.

“No terrorist has immunity. Israel’s long arm will reach every enemy and murderer,” the two officials said, adding that Israel would continue acting to ensure security for residents in the country’s north.

The Israeli military later confirmed that the commander killed was Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, saying the latter had held several senior positions within the Radwan Force over the years, including previously serving as the unit’s chief of operations.

The Israeli army said Balout had directed “dozens” of attacks against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon during the war and in recent months, including anti-tank missile fire and explosive attacks.

It also accused Balout of helping restore the operational capabilities of the Radwan Force and advancing what Israel describes as Hezbollah’s “Conquer the Galilee” plan, which Israeli officials say envisions a potential cross-border assault into northern Israel.

Speaking after the Israeli military's confirmation, Netanyahu said the slain commander had been “the same senior terrorist” behind what he described as a plan to seize control of northern Israel.

“He believed he could continue directing attacks against our forces and our communities from his concealed terrorist headquarters in Beirut,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

He added that the commander had “apparently read in the press that he enjoyed immunity in Beirut,” before adding: “He read it — and that will no longer happen.”

Netanyahu said Israel had killed more than 200 Hezbollah operatives over the past month.

“We are doing the same in Gaza — dismantling terrorist cells, including yesterday,” he said.

He noted that ceasefires, backed by the United States, are formally in place in both Gaza and Lebanon, while Hamas and Hezbollah continue to refuse disarmament.

“I say to our enemies in the clearest terms,” Netanyahu added, “no terrorist has immunity. Anyone who threatens Israel is putting his own life at risk.”