Israel carries out retaliatory strike on Beirut suburb after Golan Heights attack

The Israeli military has conducted a retaliatory attack in Beirut, Lebanon's capital.

Reports indicate that the strike was aimed at a high-ranking Hezbollah military commander.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have asserted that the commander was "accountable for the deaths of children in Majdal Shams"—referring to the recent assault on a football field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of a dozen children.

While Israel has pointed the finger at Hezbollah, the group has denied any involvement in the incident.

According to a Hezbollah official, the Tuesday strike targeted the southern suburb of Haret Hreik in Beirut, an area associated with Hezbollah’s Shura Council.

The status of the commander targeted remains unclear, as per one security source.

In the aftermath of the football pitch attack on the weekend, the US led a drive by diplomats to try and prevent Israel from retaliating. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed heavy retaliation against the armed group.

The office of Mr Netanyahu did not immediately respond after the strike on Tuesday, but within minutes, a photo of the prime minister with his national security advisor and other officials was released.