An Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut killed at least three people early Tuesday, marking the second such attack in the Lebanese capital since a fragile ceasefire was established four months ago.

The strike occurred at 3:30 am (0030 GMT) during the Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday. Israel had previously targeted Beirut`s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, on Friday after issuing an evacuation warning.

Israel`s military stated that the strike aimed at eliminating a Hezbollah operative accused of directing Hamas fighters and planning a significant attack on Israeli civilians. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed three deaths and seven injuries, with the top two floors of a multi-storey building destroyed in the attack. Panicked residents fled their homes while rescue teams assisted the injured.

Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, condemned the strike, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement that had ended over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s military said the operation was necessary to eliminate a threat, following a previous strike on southern Beirut in response