Israel’s military has claimed that it eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in a strike carried out in Beirut.
In a post on X, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, “ELIMINATED: Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in Beirut."
The IDF described Harshi as a senior aide closely associated with the Hezbollah leadership.
According to the post, Harshi was “a close associate and personal advisor" who “played a key role in managing and securing Qassem’s office."
The Israeli military statement indicated that the strike formed part of a broader operation targeting Hezbollah-linked infrastructure and logistical networks.
STRIKES TARGET CROSSINGS AND WEAPONS SITES
The IDF said the operation extended beyond the strike in Beirut, with additional targets linked to Hezbollah’s weapons movement and storage networks.
According to the post, “The IDF also struck two key crossings used by Hezbollah to move weapons south of the Litani River, along with ~10 weapons storage sites, launchers and command centres in southern Lebanon."
The Israeli military said these sites were linked to Hezbollah’s operational capabilities in southern Lebanon, particularly areas associated with the transfer and storage of weapons.
STRIKES COME AMID ESCALATING REGIONAL TENSIONS
The reported strike comes as Israel intensifies its attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon amid wider regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
According to AP, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have hit commercial and residential areas in Beirut as fighting escalated.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 182 people were killed on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day of fighting in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The report mentioned that the renewed violence has placed a strain on diplomatic efforts linked to a ceasefire arrangement involving Iran.
Iranian officials have argued that an end to the conflict in Lebanon formed part of the ceasefire understanding, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have said the truce does not extend to Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah could affect the ceasefire’s stability, stating that “the world sees the massacres in Lebanon" and calling on the United States to meet its commitments.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz as “completely unacceptable," while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American and Israeli forces had achieved a “capital V military victory."
Iranian officials, however, said their country had forced Washington and Israel to accept its conditions.
HEZBOLLAH HAS NOT COMMENTED
There has been no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah regarding Harshi’s reported death.
The IDF said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to target Hezbollah’s weapons routes and operational infrastructure south of the Litani River.
The situation in Lebanon remains volatile as military operations continue alongside diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.
