Rescuers dug through rubble in Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike targeted what Israel said was a commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that senior Radwan commander Malek Ballout was killed in the attack, the first to hit Beirut's southern suburbs since the April 17 ceasefire.

Smoke also rose from southern Lebanese villages after further Israeli strikes, as hostilities continued despite the truce.