Israel has claimed it killed a close aide and nephew of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem in a targeted strike in Beirut, as cross-border tensions continue despite a broader ceasefire involving Iran and the United States.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Ali Yusuf Harshi, who served as Qassem’s personal secretary and advisor, was killed in the strike. According to the IDF, Harshi played a key role in managing the Hezbollah chief’s office and was closely involved in operational coordination.

In a statement, the Israeli military said the strike was part of a wider operation targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure in Lebanon. It added that two key crossings used for transporting weapons south of the Litani River were also hit, along with 10 weapons storage sites, launchers, and command centers in southern Lebanon.

The escalation comes just a day after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, raising questions about the scope and durability of the truce, particularly in relation to Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah.

Israeli military officials indicated that operations against Hezbollah would continue regardless of the ceasefire framework. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel remains committed to targeting Hezbollah positions to ensure the security of northern Israel.

“We will not compromise the security of our citizens. We will continue to strike with determination,” Zamir said, according to an IDF statement.

The Israeli military also said it recently carried out its largest coordinated strike in Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion. In that operation, more than 100 Hezbollah-linked targets were hit across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon within a span of 10 minutes.

Targets included intelligence command centers, missile launch infrastructure, naval assets, and facilities linked to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and aerial units. The IDF said these assets were used for planning and executing attacks against Israel.

Separately, the IDF claimed it had killed a Hamas operative, Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah, alleging he was involved in weapons production and attacks while posing as a journalist.

The latest developments underscore the complexity of the regional conflict, where localized military operations continue even as diplomatic efforts attempt to de-escalate broader hostilities between major powers.

With Hezbollah remaining a central player in Lebanon’s security landscape and closely aligned with Iran, the risk of further escalation in the region persists despite the temporary ceasefire.