The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced today they killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, the private secretary and nephew of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, in an overnight airstrike on Beirut. The attack caused a multi-story building to partially collapse.

The IDF described Harshi as a "close associate and private advisor to Mr. Qassem, playing a key role in managing the office and ensuring the security of the Hezbollah leader."

On the night of 8/4, the Israeli military also targeted two critical crossing points on the Litani River in southern Lebanon. These points, according to Israel, were used by Hezbollah to transport thousands of weapons, rockets, and launchers. Approximately 10 weapon depots, rocket launchers, and Hezbollah command centers in southern Lebanon were also hit.

Hezbollah, a key ally of Iran in the Middle East, has not yet commented on these reports.

The scene of destruction in the al-Mazraa district, Beirut, Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike. *Photo: AFP*

The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions. Days after the US and Israel launched an offensive against Iran on 28/2, Hezbollah retaliated with attacks on Israeli territory, seeking to avenge Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Intense fighting has since led to over 1,600 deaths in Lebanon and displaced over one million people.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on 8/4 included Lebanon, though Tel Aviv and Washington provided conflicting information. Israel has continued attacks on Lebanon since the agreement's announcement.

Israel has consistently worked to weaken Hezbollah's military capabilities, carrying out assassinations against the group since the Gaza conflict began on 7/10/2023. Despite a US-backed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in 2024, Israel frequently conducts airstrikes on targets it believes belong to Hezbollah in Lebanon, accusing the group of seeking to rearm. Hezbollah, for its part, has refused a US proposal to disarm. Leader Qassem previously warned Israel of missile strikes if a large-scale war reignited in Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem speaks at an undisclosed location in Lebanon in 10/2024. *Photo: AFP*

This latest incident follows a previous Israeli airstrike in 2024 that killed Mr. Qassem's predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in a Beirut suburb. A month later, Hezbollah appointed Mr. Qassem, a prominent figure within the group for over 30 years, as its leader.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters, AFP, Times of Israel)