Senior Hamas Leader, Saleh al-Arouri, Assassinated in Israeli Drone Strike Outside Palestinian Territories
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Saleh al-Arouri, a co-founder of Hamas’ military wing and a member of its political bureau, was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday night. This marks the first targeted assassination of a Hamas official outside Palestinian territories since the group’s assault on Israeli territory on October 7th.
According to Lebanese and Palestinian security sources, the Israeli drone struck a Hamas office in Beirut, targeting a meeting and resulting in several casualties, including Palestinians and Lebanese individuals. The Israeli military, in response to inquiries, stated that it does not comment on reports from foreign media.
The aftermath of the attack saw protests erupting in the West Bank, with Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najim Maati condemning the incident as a new Israeli crime. Maati expressed concerns that the strike aimed to draw Lebanon into a broader conflict and called on Lebanon’s foreign minister to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council.
A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General highlighted the extremely worrying nature of the strike, emphasizing the escalating tensions and fragility of the situation in the region. The UN called for maximum restraint from all parties, urging against rash actions that could further escalate violence.
The incident adds to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has been marked by near-daily exchanges of fire across Lebanon’s southern frontier since the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. Israeli airstrikes and shelling have resulted in the deaths of over 100 Hezbollah fighters and nearly two dozen civilians.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, issued a written statement asserting that the attack on Saleh al-Arouri will not go without a response or punishment. While announcing an attack on Israeli forces across the border, Hezbollah did not specify whether it was directly in retaliation for al-Arouri’s killing.
In Gaza, Palestinian health officials report that the death toll has now surpassed 22,000, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing conflict in the region.
The targeted killing of Saleh al-Arouri outside Palestinian territories further intensifies the already complex and volatile situation, with potential repercussions for regional stability. The international community, through the United Nations, has called for restraint to prevent further escalation and violence.
As developments unfold, Wybenews remains committed to providing comprehensive coverage and analysis of events shaping the global landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
