Israel expanded airstrikes in Lebanon into the capital Beirut in what is reportedly the first such attack on the capital in recent fighting. The move comes as Israel has indicated it may begin a ground assault against the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah in the country.

Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday, raising concern of an escalating conflict.

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it struck targets belonging to Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon and intercepted a drone that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

Lebanon's health ministry says more than 1,000 people, including women and children, have been killed in the past two weeks.

Western media outlets say the Israeli airstrike on central Beirut on early Monday damaged buildings including an apartment. They say the site is in an area with a busy thoroughfare lined with shops.

A Palestinian militant group said three of its leaders were killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden was asked by reporters on Sunday whether an all-out war in the Middle East can be avoided. The president replied: "It has to be. We really have to avoid it."

Biden also indicated that he will talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before long.