Israel says it killed aide to Hezbollah chief in Beirut strike

Beirut: The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had killed a senior aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem in an overnight strike on the Lebanese capital.

In a military statement, the army said it had “eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. The statement described Harshi as “a close associate and adviser to Qassem” and said he played “a central role in managing and securing his office.”

There was no confirmation from Hezbollah regarding the Israeli claim.

Late on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes targeted the Lailaki-Kafaat area in southern Beirut, according to Lebanon’s state news agency, which said explosions were heard across the capital.

Lebanese Civil Defence said at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 others were injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon, including Beirut. Separately, the Lebanese Health Ministry said the total number of people killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 1,739, while 5,873 others had been wounded.

The latest attacks took place despite a US-Iran ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday. Some international leaders are seeking to have the ceasefire extended to Lebanon, despite opposition from the United States and Israel.

Israel has been carrying out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that came into effect in November 2024.

Fresh strikes in southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Tuesday that at least 17 people were killed and several others were injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

According to the agency, an Israeli strike on the town of Zrariyeh killed more than 10 people, including women and children, after a residential building was hit.

In a separate attack earlier, the agency said an Israeli air raid on the town of Abbassiyeh killed at least seven people and wounded others, adding that the casualty figures were still preliminary.

The developments come amid continued hostilities in Lebanon, where casualty figures have continued to rise as Israeli attacks persist in Beirut and the south of the country.