An Israeli airstrike slammed into a densely populated residential area in Lebanon’s capital near key government and diplomatic buildings late Monday, killing at least five people as the U.S. pressed ahead with cease-fire efforts.

The Hezbollah militant group has a strong presence in central Beirut, known as the Dahiyeh, and the strikes came as Lebanese officials are considering a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal.

Israel killed Hezbollah’s chief spokesman in a rare central Beirut airstrike. An anonymous Hezbollah official confirmed the death of Mohammed Afif to the Associated Press, while two Lebanese security sources confirmed it to Reuters.

BEIRUT - Two people were killed and 22 others injured on Sunday night in an Israeli airstrike targeting Mar Elias, a densely-populated neighborhood in Beirut, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

An Israeli airstrike hits an area in central Beirut near the Lebanese government headquarters and several embassies

Aftermath of Israeli airstrike near key government buildings and embassies AP is live from Beirut after an Israeli airstrike late Monday slammed into a densely populated residential area in Lebanon's capital close to the U.