Netanyahu: No Immunity for Enemies After Beirut Strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared after an attack on a Hezbollah commander in Beirut that Israel's enemies no longer have any "immunity".

Israel said it killed Ahmed Ali Balout, commander of the elite Radwan force, in the first strike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire. Hezbollah has not yet commented on the attack.

The strike took place despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon brokered by the United States. Although fighting has subsided following the agreement, mutual attacks continue in southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains a security zone.

Washington is meanwhile continuing diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. The two countries are expected to hold another round of talks in the US in mid-May. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has warned, however, that talk of a broader agreement or a historic meeting between the leaders is premature.

(reuters, mja)