Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas official, was killed in a drone strike in Beirut on Tuesday. It raises the potential for the ongoing conflict in Gaza to escalate further. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, saying that al-Arouri was a “senior terrorist” who was responsible for planning attacks against Israel.
Israel conducted a drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon, killing Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, as reported by Lebanese and Palestinian security sources. The strike increases the risk of the Gaza conflict expanding beyond the Palestinian enclave.
Arouri, 57, is the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated since Israel initiated a widespread air and ground offensive against the group almost three months ago. Hezbollah, a heavily armed ally of Hamas, has been engaging in frequent exchanges of fire with Israel along Lebanon’s southern border since the start of the Gaza war in October.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned against Israeli assassinations on Lebanese soil. He promised a “severe reaction“. Following Arouri’s killing, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted a group of Israeli soldiers with missiles near Marj. Israel neither confirmed nor denied its involvement but emphasized its readiness to combat Hamas.
Israel accused Arouri, a co-founder of Hamas’ military wing, of orchestrating attacks in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Additionally, Arouri was reportedly involved in negotiations led by Qatar and Egypt regarding the Gaza war and the release of Hamas-held Israeli hostages.
Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, and a major supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah. He stated that Arouri’s killing would escalate resistance against “Zionist occupiers” in the region. Hundreds of Palestinians protested in the West Bank, expressing their outrage.
International Level
In an international development, Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran. They pledged to continue attacks on shipping in the Red Sea until Israel ceases the Gaza conflict. They also warned of targeting U.S. warships if the militia group itself was attacked. Two anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into the southern Red Sea, causing no reported damage.
The ongoing Gaza war, triggered by a surprise Hamas assault on Israeli towns in October, has resulted in significant casualties. The Gaza health ministry reported 207 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total Palestinian death toll to 22,185. Israel attributes civilian casualties to Hamas embedding fighters among them, while Hamas denies these allegations.
As the conflict intensifies, concerns grow over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where thousands face destitution and famine due to a lack of food supplies. The international community remains focused on the evolving situation. The U.S. announced an international maritime task force to protect shipping through the Red Sea.
The conflict has also led to discussions about potential ceasefire proposals, with Hamas demanding a complete cessation of Israel’s offensive in exchange for the further release of hostages. The Israeli government has vowed to eliminate Hamas. But plans for the future of the enclave and the prospect of an independent Palestinian state remain uncertain.
