Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs were the “most violent” to hit the area since the war began, with 17 airstrikes launched over a few hours, Lebanon’s state news agency said on Wednesday. Lebanese authorities said at least one person was killed and five injured in the strikes on the Dahiyeh area, a Hezbollah stronghold.

The strikes hit new neighborhoods in the capital, signaling the widening scope of Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, even as U.S. officials hailed diplomatic efforts.

The development comes as Israel continues intense air and ground campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and mulls its response to Iran's latest ballistic missile attack.