Tel Aviv, Israel – In a significant development that shatters the fragile calm, the Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had assassinated Ali Youssef Harshi, a close aide and personal secretary to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. This occurred during an airstrike targeting Beirut on Wednesday. The operation is part of a broader escalation dubbed “Operation Eternal Darkness” by the Israeli military, which has also targeted Hezbollah’s command and logistical infrastructure throughout Lebanon.
The Israeli military spokesperson explained that Harshi, who served as Qassem’s personal secretary and was also his nephew, was considered part of the party’s very inner circle of decision-makers.
According to the statement, Harshi played a pivotal role as a senior advisor, managing and securing the Secretary-General’s office. He was also the primary liaison for coordinating the secret movements and communications of the top leadership. Therefore, targeting him represents a significant security blow to the command and control system.
Simultaneously with the assassination, Israeli aircraft launched intense nighttime airstrikes targeting two key crossings used by Hezbollah operatives to move and transport equipment between areas north and south of the Litani River.
The Israeli military confirmed that the attacks struck approximately ten strategic sites, including advanced weapons depots, missile launch sites, and field command centers in southern Lebanon.
According to the Israeli military perspective, these intensified operations aim to cripple Hezbollah’s fighting capabilities and disrupt its vital supply lines. Meanwhile, Iran considers this escalation a blatant violation of recent international understandings. With the targeting of Naim Qassem’s inner circle, the confrontation enters a new phase of “head-on-head” conflict. This also undermines de-escalation efforts and increases the likelihood of widespread reactions on the northern front.
