Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Apr 9: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday announced that it has killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, a close aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, during an operation in Beirut. Harshi, who also had family ties to the Hezbollah leadership, reportedly played a significant role in managing and securing Qassem’s office.
In an official statement, the IDF said it carried out multiple strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. These included attacks on two major crossings allegedly used for transporting weapons south of the Litani River, as well as 10 additional sites such as weapons depots, launch systems, and command centers in southern Lebanon.
The escalation comes shortly after the United States and Iran declared a temporary two-week ceasefire agreement, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing regional tensions.
In a separate development, the IDF stated it had killed Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah, whom it identified as a Hamas operative allegedly posing as a journalist. According to the military, Washah was involved in weapons production and the planning of attacks against Israeli forces in Gaza.
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reaffirmed Israel’s stance on continuing military operations against Hezbollah. He emphasized that ensuring the safety of residents in northern Israel remains a top priority and that strikes would persist wherever operational opportunities arise.
The military also confirmed that it recently executed what it described as its largest coordinated offensive in Lebanon since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion. Within a span of 10 minutes, Israeli forces reportedly targeted over 100 Hezbollah positions across Beirut, the Beqaa region, and southern Lebanon. These included intelligence hubs, central command facilities, missile-launch infrastructure, and assets linked to elite Hezbollah units such as the Radwan Force and its aerial division.
The situation marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah, amid broader geopolitical developments in the region.