Israeli military says it struck key Hamas figure in northern Lebanon

Israel has carried out a targeted airstrike in northern Lebanon, reportedly killing a senior Hamas figure, one of the first hits in the region in months.

The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had struck a "key" Hamas operative traveling in a car near Ay-rou-ni-eh, just south of Lebanon's second-largest city, Tripoli, marking the first targeted assassination in the region since November.

Lebanese state media confirmed the strike hit a vehicle, killing at least three people and wounding 13 others.

Al Araby TV quoted a Hamas source in Lebanon stating no senior official was killed, though Israel maintains its target was high-ranking.

The recent strike came as U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack visited Lebanon amid efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

However, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Sunday ruled out giving up the group's weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon.