Middle East conflict | Israeli military target a top Hezbollah figure in a strike in Beirut

To the Middle East now where the Israeli military has targeted a top Hezbollah figure in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, sharply escalating the year-long conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group. The attack on Friday hit near key Hezbollah facilities, according to two security sources in Lebanon and targeted Hezbollah's operations commander Ibrahim Aqil. His fate is unknown. Israeli warplanes meanwhile have been carrying out their most intense strikes on South Lebanon, heightening tensions amid calls for restraint from the United States. Israel says its confrontation with Hezbollah is part of a wider regional conflict with Iran, which sponsors Hamas and Hezbollah. Khayelihle Khumalo has more For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.