Israeli strike on Beirut kills three

Beirut, Lebanon -- An Israeli strike on south Beirut killed at least three people on Tuesday, Lebanon said after Israel announced its second such strike in a fragile four-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

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The attack came without warning at around 3:30 am (0030 GMT) during the Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

It struck after Israel raided Beirut’s southern suburbs -- a bastion of support for Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah armed group -- on Friday after issuing an evacuation warning.

Lebanon’s health ministry said the latest strike killed three people and wounded seven others.

The top two floors of a multi-storey building were destroyed and debris covered the street, an AFP journalist reported from the scene.

Panicked residents poured out of their homes as rescue workers helped the wounded.

The Israeli military said it “strike targeted a Hezbollah terrorist who had recently directed Hamas operatives and assisted them in planning a significant and imminent terror attack against Israeli civilians,” in a joint statement with the domestic Shin Bet security agency.