Arouri, 57, is the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated since Israel launched an offensive to destroy Hamas in Gaza three months ago, following the Palestinian militant group's October 7 massacre in Israeli territory.
The site of an explosion, which security sources said was an Israeli drone attack, in the Lebanese capital Beirut on January 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Rescuers and residents search for survivors inside an apartment after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: AP
The targeted building is believed to have been housing Hamas deputy leader Al Arouri, who was killed. Photo: Reuters
Lebanon's Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has been fighting Israel across the border almost daily since the Gaza war began, but Israel's killing of Hamas' deputy leader could make matters worse.
Israel has long accused Arouri of carrying out deadly attacks on its own people, but a Hamas official said he was also "at the heart of negotiations" being held by Qatar and Egypt over a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israel has not confirmed or denied carrying out the assassination, but its military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said Israeli forces were on high alert and prepared for any eventuality.
“The most important thing to say tonight is that we are focused and remain focused on fighting Hamas,” he said when asked by reporters about Arouri's assassination.
Saleh Al Arouri speaks in Cairo, Egypt in October 2017. Photo: AP
Israel has previously accused Arouri, a co-founder of Hamas' military wing, the Izz-el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, of ordering and overseeing Hamas attacks in the Israeli-occupied West Bank for years.
“I am waiting for martyrdom and I think I have lived too long,” Arouri said in August 2023, referring to Israeli threats to eliminate Hamas leaders whether in Gaza or abroad.
Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said Arouri's killing "will certainly spark another wave of protests..., not only in Palestine but also in the region and among all freedom-seeking people around the world".
In a televised speech in August, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against carrying out any assassinations on Lebanese soil, vowing a “strong response.” Hundreds of Palestinians protested in the West Bank to condemn Arouri’s assassination.
In Gaza, health authorities in the area said 207 people had been killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli attacks, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths recorded to 22,185 after nearly three months of fighting.
Bui Huy (according to AP, Reuters, CNN)
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