BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Wednesday evening launched its first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since a ceasefire with Lebanon took effect in mid-April, Lebanon's TV channel al-Jadeed reported.

An Israeli warship fired three missiles at a residential apartment in the municipality of Haret Hreik in the area, causing heavy destruction and prompting ambulances to rush to the site, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).

The agency also reported intensive low-altitude flights by Israeli military drones over Beirut and its southern suburbs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the airstrike in a joint statement, saying it targeted Malki Blout, commander of Hezbollah's Radwan Force, "in an attempt to neutralize him."

Blout was "responsible for directing fire toward Israeli communities and targeting soldiers," the statement said.

According to Israel's state-owned Kan TV, Israeli security officials believe Blout was killed in the strike, which they said was coordinated with the United States.

NNA said that Israeli airstrikes and artillery on Wednesday killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens more across southern and eastern Lebanon, including a village mayor and his three family members.

Hezbollah claimed retaliatory attacks on Israeli military vehicles and troop gatherings.

The violence came despite a ceasefire that took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17. Under the U.S.-announced agreement, Israel retains the right to take "all necessary measures to defend itself" against any attacks.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center, Israeli strikes between March 2 and May 6 have killed 2,715 people and injured 8,353 others. ■