US says Israel has right to defend itself after Israeli strike on Beirut

WASHINGTON

The US said Tuesday that Israel has a right to defend itself after an Israeli strike on Beirut that it said targeted a senior commander responsible for a weekend attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights.

"Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including the Lebanese Hezbollah (group). The attack by Hezbollah this weekend, which killed 12 children and teenagers playing soccer, was horrific," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

"Israel has a right to defend itself against the severe threats it faces. At the same time, the United States is continuing to work on a diplomatic solution to end these terrible attacks and allow citizens on both sides to safely return to their homes," she added.

Earlier Tuesday, a loud explosion was heard in a southern Beirut suburb in the vicinity of the Hezbollah Shura Council’s headquarters in Haret Hreik after an Israeli strike amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.

The Israeli military said it assassinated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, in the attack.

There has been no comment from Hezbollah so far.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said a woman and two children were killed and 69 others injured, three critically, in the attack.

The Israeli army later confirmed the strike.

While Israel blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s attack, the Lebanese group denied any responsibility.