A powerful explosion reverberated through Beirut and its southern suburbs on Friday, as Israeli airstrikes targeted a building in Hezbollah's stronghold.

According to initial reports, the strike was carried out by Israeli F-35 fighter jets, which fired two missiles at a structure located on the Jammous Street in the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area often associated with Hezbollah.

According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, 9 people were killed and 59 others were injured in the strike. 

In a statement, the Israeli army confirmed the airstrike, describing it as a "targeted operation" in the Beirut area.

Despite the heightened tension, the Israeli military noted that there are no changes to guidelines for civilians at this stage, indicating that the situation remains under close observation but no immediate changes in security protocols have been made.

Sources confirmed to Al Arabiya news channel that Hezbollah's special operations commander, Ibrahim Aqil, was targeted in the Israeli strike in Beirut. 

AFP news agency, citing a source close to Hezbollah, also confirmed that Aqil was killed in the Israeli strike.

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the airstrike also targeted other key figures alongside Aqil, including 3 commanders in Hezbollah's Radwan Force. Reports suggest that a meeting was taking place in the building at the time of the strike, involving high-ranking Palestinian officials and senior members of Hezbollah.

According to Sky News Arabia, Mohammad Reza, deputy commander of Iran's Quds Force, was killed along with Aqil in the strike. 

Aqil was a Senior Member of Hezbollah’s Military Council and the Commander of the Elite “Radwan Force” Unit. He is also Wanted by the United States for his involvement in the 1983 Beirut embassy bombing.

Initially ranked as the third most important figure within the organization, Aqil recently rose to the second position following his appointment to replace Fouad Shakr.

Axios cited a senior Israeli official as saying that Israel did not notify the United States in advance of the recent airstrike in Beirut. However, high-ranking U.S. officials were briefed on the attack immediately after it took place. 

White House spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. had not received any prior warning from Israel about the Beirut strike, emphasizing that the U.S. remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict despite the escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.