Israeli military says it has killed nephew of Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxNVXcwUktpSkZsY3FaYXUxQm9IMUJJazQwQXFTZ1ZuQ0JlLVRxcXgzXzNSb0VCSGE4MjVKaFMzUWJDTXpJRGZHMEVmcTJlbW9haDlSaVJfT01vTHY2ZHNuWjNzNVNwbWhMa3laZ2dCNUZhcDFRREZfS0xIcF9YMmVfQXNDQzFEODV2dThyRXJCZm96TGx1dVJaWXNLamtvbUZDeW0tVVpBTm0zdGkxMnB5cWNIdzNFandMYmp2djUtRjcydw?oc=5" target="_blank">Israeli military says it has killed nephew of Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The Israeli army claimed 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. Late 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 Defense. 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 Wednesday. Some international leaders are pushing to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon, despite US and Israeli opposition.

Israel’s military said Thursday it had struck and killed a close adviser to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem in Beirut a day earlier, when Israeli strikes pummelled Lebanon. 'Yesterday, the IDF struck in the Beirut area and eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem,' a military statement said. Harshi was 'a close associate and personal adviser to... Qassem and played a central role in managing and securing his office,' it added.

Lebanon grapples with the aftermath of the deadliest day in over five weeks of renewed warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, following intense Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 203 people and injured more than 1,000. The Lebanese health ministry reported heavy civilian casualties as strikes hit densely populated areas during rush hour. Rescue operations continued across Beirut, with survivors pulled from rubble and overwhelmed hospitals treating the wounded. The Israeli military claimed their targets were Hezbollah-related, including the killing of a close aide to a top Hezbollah leader, but many strikes devastated residential and commercial districts. Lebanese leaders condemned the attacks as violations of humanitarian law and planned to lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council. The conflict has displaced more than a million people in Lebanon, with over 200,000 fleeing to Syria. Amid growing internal divisions, Lebanon's cabinet moved to strengthen state authority in Beirut. Iran warned of strong retaliation against continued Israeli aggression, even as Israel signaled further military operations with 'force and precision.' As the death toll in Lebanon rose to 1,739, escalating tensions threatened to deepen the regional crisis.

Israel's military said Thursday it had struck and killed a close adviser to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem in Beirut a day earlier, when Israeli strikes pummelled Lebanon. 'Yesterday, the IDF struck in the Beirut area and eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem,' a military statement said. Harshi was 'a close associate and personal adviser to... Qassem and played a central role in managing and securing his office,' it added. Hezbollah entered the war in the region on Iran's side on March 2, two days after the United States and Israel began airstrikes against Iran, killing then Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.