In a major development, Saleh al-Arouri, a prominent figure in the Hamas hierarchy, met a tragic end in a suspected Israeli drone attack. The 57-year-old, serving as the deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, played a crucial role in establishing the group's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
Al-Arouri, deeply engaged in the group's military affairs, was killed in an explosion in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh. The attack, widely attributed to Israel, has intensified tensions in the region.
Having joined Hamas in 1987, Al-Arouri was instrumental in establishing the group's military presence in the occupied West Bank. Known for his close ties to both Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, his demise marks a significant loss for the organization.
The late Hamas leader, who had previously served time in Israeli prisons, played a key role in negotiating the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011. Notably, on October 27 this year, the Israeli army demolished his West Bank home in the town of Arura, near Ramallah. At the time of his death, Al-Arouri was residing in Lebanon.
Lebanese media reported that the fatal drone strike targeted Hamas's office in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, claiming the lives of six others reportedly affiliated with Hamas. The location of the attack adds complexity, as a senior Hamas official killed in a Hezbollah stronghold raises concerns about escalating tensions.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the killing as a new Israeli war crime, accusing it of attempting to drag Lebanon into a new phase of the conflict. Hezbollah denounced the attack as a serious assault on Lebanon's people, security, and sovereignty, warning of a robust response.
Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, condemned the incident as a "cowardly assassination by the Zionist occupation." Israel's military, while not officially commenting, described the attack as a "surgical strike" against Hamas's leadership, refraining from confirming responsibility.
The region now faces an anxious wait to observe how Hezbollah responds, raising concerns about the potential spillover of Israel's conflict in Gaza into Lebanon. The situation remains tense, with uncertainties surrounding the aftermath of this targeted attack on a key Hamas leader.