An Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday killed a Hezbollah commander who was a leading figure in its rocket division, two security sources said, as fears of a full-fledged war in the Middle East mounted, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The sources identified the commander who was killed as Ibrahim Qubaisi. The attack, in which six people were killed, dealt another blow to the Iran-backed group which has faced a series of setbacks at the hands of Israel over the past week.

The health ministry gave an initial toll of six dead and 15 wounded in the Beirut strike.

The Israeli military carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah on Monday which Lebanese authorities said killed more than 500 people.

The airstrike hit a building in the usually busy Ghobeiry neighbourhood in Beirut. One of the security sources shared a photo showing damage to the top floor of a five-storey building.

Israel's military chief said earlier that attacks on Hezbollah would be accelerated.

"The situation requires continued, intense action in all arenas," said Military Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi after holding a security assessment.

Lebanese authorities said 558 people had been killed, including 50 children and 94 women, in Israel's airstrikes on Monday. A further 1,835 were wounded, they said, and tens of thousands more have fled for safety.

***17:25

On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced that it conducted a "precision strike" in Beirut, reportedly aimed at assassinating a senior Hezbollah military leader, Paralel.Az reports citing Shafaq News.

Israeli media reported that the strike aimed to assassinate Ibrahim Mohammed Qobeisi, the head of Hezbollah's missile unit, however, the Israeli army said the commander is known as “Abu Jawad Harakeh.”

Hezbollah did not confirm the Israeli allegations.

Lebanese sources confirmed the strike hit a building in the Al-Ghobeiry neighborhood, causing injuries and material damage.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the strike killed six people and injured 15 others.

*** 16:42

An Israeli airstrike targeted a Hezbollah commander in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, two security sources in Lebanon said, as Israel struck the Hezbollah-controlled area of the Lebanese capital for a second consecutive day, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The sources declined to identify who had been targeted in the strike and said his fate was unknown.

The Israeli military said it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, giving no details.

The airstrike hit a building in the usually busy Ghobeiry neighborhood. One of the security sources shared a photo showing damage to the top floor of the five-story building.