Israel assassinates senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut

Israel has allegedly assassinated senior Hamas leader, Saleh al-Arouri, in a drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon.

An explosion was reported in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood that is known for its support for Hamas-ally Hezbollah. Local Lebanese media claimed it was an Israeli drone strike that targeted a Hamas office.

Initial reports claimed a senior Hamas leader was killed in the strike without identifying him. It has now been confirmed by the group itself that Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of its political bureau was killed.

At least six others have also been killed in the alleged attack, according to the Lebanese media.

Al-Arouri was a founding commander of Hamas’ military wing. He also served as the militant group’s military commander in the West Bank, and was thoroughly involved in the wing’s affairs. He remained on Israel’s radar for a long time.

The alleged Israeli strike comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are high. Both have been intensely fighting at Israel’s northern border where civilians have been evacuated.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the strike and has labeled it as a “new Israeli crime” that is dragging Lebanon directly into the conflict. He has also claimed the strike has killed “many” Lebanese.

Protestors are also out on the streets in Lebanon condemning the killing of al-Arouri. Israel has so far refrained from commenting on the incident, but various military sources confirm it was behind the strike.

Israeli ministers have also reportedly been told not to react on the matter.

As this alleged strike was conducted in the Lebanese capital experts fear Israel and Hezbollah are minutes away from catastrophe for this incident is set to further escalate tensions.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, will see this as an attack on its soil and may use it to justify its attacks inside Israel prompting the latter to carry out more strikes that would further deepen the conflict.

Saleh al-Arouri is the most senior Hamas leader to have been killed since Israel went to war with Hamas following its October 7 attack.

The conflict has managed to drag in Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and experts fear the Middle East is headed towards an all-out war if the fighting doesn’t stop.

The World has been pleading for a ceasefire for months now, but there seems to be no end in sight. The US and its allies are being pulled into another direct conflict. This time in Yemen.