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Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem's close aide killed in Beirut airstrikes
Beirut: Israel on Thursday claimed it had killed a senior aide to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem in a targeted strike in Beirut, amid escalating hostilities in the region.
In a statement posted online, the Israel Defense Forces described Harshi as the personal secretary and a trusted adviser to Qassem, claiming he played a central role in managing and securing the leader’s office. The military termed the operation part of its ongoing efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s command and logistical network.
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According to the Israeli military, the Beirut strike was carried out alongside a broader series of attacks targeting Hezbollah-linked infrastructure.
The IDF said it struck two key crossings allegedly used to transport weapons south of the Litani River. It also reported hitting around ten sites, including weapons storage facilities, launchers, and command centres in southern Lebanon.
These locations, Israel claimed, were critical to Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, particularly in the movement and storage of weapons.
The reported strike comes amid intensifying violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Recent attacks in Lebanon have reportedly hit both residential and commercial areas in Beirut.
Lebanon’s health ministry has said that at least 182 people were killed in a single day, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the ongoing conflict.
The surge in violence has heightened concerns of a broader regional fallout, especially as tensions remain linked to the wider Iran-Israel standoff.
The escalation has also strained diplomatic efforts tied to a fragile ceasefire involving Iran. Iranian officials have warned that continued Israeli operations in Lebanon could undermine the truce.
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Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the strikes, urging the United States to uphold its commitments and warning of consequences if hostilities continue.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have maintained that any ceasefire arrangement does not extend to Hezbollah operations in Lebanon.
There has been no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah regarding Harshi’s reported killing. The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, with military operations continuing alongside diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.
