Israel strike hits the heart of an Arab state, targets Iranian commander

A bird was seen flying beside the damaged Ramada Plaza hotel building after Israel’s attack in central Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday (8 March 2026). At least four people were killed when the attack hit an apartment inside the Ramada Plaza hotel building. (REUTERS/Claudia Greco) According to Reuters, the strike targeted key commanders of the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, though their names were not disclosed. Last week, Israel said it had killed a Quds Force commander in Lebanon, Daoud Ali Zadeh, in an attack in Tehran. The strike marked the first attack on central Beirut since the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities escalated again last week. Ten people were also injured in the attack in the Raouche district of Beirut, according to a statement from Lebanon’s health ministry. The hotel housed evacuees fleeing the war in southern Lebanon and the southern outskirts of Beirut, and several were seen leaving the building for fear of further airstrikes. Lebanon was drawn into the widening US-Israel conflict with Iran on Monday after Iran-backed militant group Hizbollah fired rockets and drones at Israel. (REUTERS/Claudia Greco)