Israeli army claims it killed secretary to Hezbollah leader in Beirut strike

The Israeli army claimed on Thursday that it had killed a senior aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem in an overnight Wednesday strike on the capital Beirut. A military statement said that the army had “eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem.” The military described Harshi as “a close associate and adviser” to Qassem, saying he played “a central role in managing and securing his office.” There was no confirmation from Hezbollah regarding the claim. Read More: Lebanon must be covered by ceasefire agreement, French foreign minister says Late on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes struck the Lailaki-Kafaat area in southern Beirut, with blasts heard across the capital, Lebanon’s state news agency said. At least 254 people were killed and 1,165 others injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon, including Beirut, according to Lebanese Civil Defence. Longer term, the Lebanese Health Ministry said the overall death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 1,739 with 5,873 others injured. The attacks came despite a US-Iran ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday. Some international leaders are pushing to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon, despite US and Israeli opposition. Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. More deaths in fresh strikes At least 17 people were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency on Tuesday. An Israeli strike on the town of Zrariyeh in southern Lebanon killed more than 10 people, including women and children, after targeting a residential building, NNA reported. Earlier, in a separate incident, the agency reported an Israeli air raid on the town of Abbassiyeh killed at least seven people and injured others, noting the figures remain preliminary.