Israel’s air force struck targets in Beirut for the first time in almost a week, and the US warned it could cut arms supplies if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza doesn’t improve.

Israel has launched airstrikes on Beirut for the first time in five days, while a city mayor has been been killed during a volley of intense strikes on southern Lebanon – in what the country’s prime minister has condemned as "intentionally” targeting a municipal council meeting.

Witnesses told Reuters that after Israel struck the Lebanese capital, a blast was heard, and a plume of smoke could be seen.