An Israeli air strike has struck Beirut for the first time since June, with the military saying it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff.

The strike, in the south of the capital, comes days before the Pope is due to visit the country and as Israeli air strikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks.

A large plume of smoke could be seen rising over the busy Haret Hreik neighbourhood following the strike on Sunday.

One video widely circulated on social media shows dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike, which appears to be next to a building.

There was no immediate word about casualties and Hezbollah has not yet commented on the incident.

Israel and the United States have been piling the pressure on Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. The Lebanes

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