The Israeli military said it carried out a strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday.

 

"The army conducted a targeted strike in Beirut. At this moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive guidelines," the military said, providing no further details.

 

Lebanon's Health Ministry says at least 3 killed, 17 wounded

 

The Israeli military targeted a top Hezbollah figure in its strike, two security sources in Lebanon told Reuters, sharply escalating the year-long conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group.

 

The target was Hezbollah's operations commander Ibrahim Aqil, the two security sources noted that his fate is unknown.

Reuters witnesses heard jet noise over the city around the time of the attack, and a cloud of smoke could be seen rising from the area.

 

Footage of the targeted area broadcast by Lebanon's Al Jadeed showed burnt out cars and a street strewn with rubble.