The Israeli military announced on Thursday, April 9, 2026, that it conducted a strike in the Beirut area overnight, resulting in the elimination of Ali Yusuf Harshi, identified as the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. The IDF stated that Harshi was a close associate and personal adviser to Qassem, playing a significant role in managing and securing his office. This action follows a period of intensified Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to continuing strikes against Hezbollah "wherever necessary" to restore security to northern Israel, emphasizing a retaliatory approach against any actions targeting Israeli civilians.