• By Vaidika Thapa
  • Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:24 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Israel on Thursday said it had killed nephew of Naim Qassem, the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, in ‌a ⁠strike on Beirut overnight. His death, if confirmed by the group, would be another blow to Hezbollah amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

"The IDF struck in the Beirut ⁠area and eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the ⁠personal secretary and nephew of ⁠Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem," Reuters reported, citing the Israeli Military. He was targetted in a strike in the Tallet Khayat area, outside of the usual Hezbollah stronghold in Dahiyeh district.

IDF Eliminates Key Hezbollah Operative

In a post on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Harshi played a key role in managing and securing Qassem’s office. The military also struck two key crossings used by the group to move weapons south of the Litani River in Lebanon.

The IDF wrote, “Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in Beirut. A close associate and personal advisor, Harshi played a key role in managing and securing Qassem’s office. 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 centers in southern Lebanon.”

Earlier, news agency Reuters had reported the death of the Hezbollah chief, but later corrected its report to clarify that it was Qassem’s nephew who had been killed amid growing confusion.

Ceasefire Doesn't Cover Lebanon

The development comes after United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a temporary ceasefire with Iran that does not cover military actions in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also vowed to continue attacks on Hezbollah, stating that Lebanon is not included in the recent truce agreement.

There have been growing international calls for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire deal. Australia, France, and the United Kingdom have urged for Beirut’s inclusion in the deal, calling the attack as “deeply damaging.”

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