• Saleh al-Arouri, a top Hamas official, was killed in a targeted drone strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.
  • Identified as the deputy chief and a founder of Hamas’s military wing, the targeting of al-Arouri signals potential expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
  • Al-Arouri was responsible for coordinating terror attacks in the West Bank and aiding in Hamas’s involvement in cross-border assaults from Lebanon.
  • Also killed in the strike were Qassam Brigade officials Samir Findi Abu Amer and Azzam Al-Aqraa Abu Ammar alongside other individuals.
  • Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strike as a “new Israeli crime,” indicative of Israel seeking to escalate regional tensions.
  • Hezbollah labeled the assassination a severe attack on Lebanon and promised it would not go unanswered; however, the organization did not specify if they planned retaliation for this specific incident.
  • Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the attack; some Israeli politicians claimed Israel’s involvement, but Netanyahu’s adviser for foreign media refuted this, stating, “Israel doesn’t take responsibility.”
  • Iran and its allies in the region condemned the assassination, with Iran stating it would intensify the fight against Israel, and Hezbollah also emphasizing its firm resolve for confrontation.
  • This event may have direct implications on ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel, possibly influencing talks regarding a ceasefire and exchanges of captives.
  • Al-Arouri was frequently targeted in the past and seen as one of the masterminds behind terror activities against Israeli targets, including his connection to the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in 2014, which led to the 2014 Gaza War.

Why is this important?

  • Impact on Israel-Hamas Conflict: The killing of al-Arouri may lead to escalated tensions and potential retaliation from Hamas, Hezbollah, or other Iranian-backed groups, possibly widening the scope of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
  • Influence on Negotiations: The event could affect the currently stalled negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, with Hamas possibly seeking guarantees against future targeted killings.
  • Regional Stability: This action could destabilize the already volatile political situation in Lebanon and the broader Middle East by inciting further violence and potential backlash.
  • Demonstration of Capabilities: The precise nature of the strike showcases the operational and intelligence capabilities attributed to Israel, which could serve as a deterrent to other militants planning attacks.

Contested claims:

  • Algemeiner.com reported Lebanese officials had previously requested the arrest of Hamas operatives, including Samir Pandi, due to concerns about their intent to carry out operations against Israel from Lebanese territory.
  • An Israeli advisor, Mark Regev, stated Israel didn’t take responsibility for the attack despite other Israeli officials publicly attributing the attack to Israel.

Claims made by a single publication:

  • [Albawaba]: Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the explosion and labeled it an “Israeli crime,” suggesting the operation’s purpose was “to drag Lebanon into a new stage of conflicts.”
  • [Maariv]: An American official stated that the assassination of al-Arouri is expected to delay prisoner exchange negotiations.
  • [Ynetnews]: Reports claim Hamas has frozen all negotiations with Israel following the assassination.

Sources:

  • Al-Monitor [English]
  • Axios [English]
  • New York Times [English]
  • Haaretz [Hebrew]
  • The Guardian [English]
  • The New Arab [English]
  • Israel Hayom [Hebrew]
  • IFP News [English]
  • The New York Times [English]
  • The Guardian [English]
  • Albawaba [English]
  • Al Monitor [English]
  • JPost [English]
  • JPost [English]
  • Israel Hayom [Hebrew]
  • Al Bawaba [English]
  • Al-Manar [English]
  • Algemeiner [English]
  • Maariv [Hebrew]
  • Maariv [Hebrew]
  • Ynet [Hebrew]
  • Ynet [Hebrew]
  • Ynet [Hebrew]
  • Ynet [Hebrew]
  • Walla [Hebrew]
  • Mako [Hebrew]
  • Mako [Hebrew]
  • Ynetnews [English]
  • Israel Hayom [Hebrew]
  • Ya Libnan [English]

Links:

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/israel-ready-any-scenario-after-strike-kills-hamas-deputy-lebanon
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/02/hamas-saleh-al-arouri-killed-beirut-hamas-hezbollah
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-leader-war.html
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-02/ty-article/.premium/coordinated-with-sinwar-tied-to-hezbollah-who-was-hamas-official-saleh-al-arouri/0000018c-cbb3-d4e1-ad8f-ffb31c580000
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/02/saleh-al-arouri-assassinated-leader-was-hamass-link-to-iran-and-hezbollah
https://www.newarab.com/news/who-saleh-al-aruri-assassinated-beirut
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/15040979
https://ifpnews.com/hamas-deputy-leader-killed-israeli-drone-attack-beirut/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/world/middleeast/hamas-leader-beirut-killed.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/02/saleh-al-arouri-assassinated-leader-was-hamass-link-to-iran-and-hezbollah
https://www.albawaba.com/news/hezbollah-says-killing-hamas-deputy-lebanon-will-not-go-unanswered-1547382
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/who-saleh-al-arouri-top-hamas-official-killed-beirut
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/hamas-says-israel-strike-lebanon-kills-its-deputy-chief
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-780537
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-780532
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/15040677
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/15040427
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/world-news/middle-east/article/15040366
https://www.albawaba.com/news/lebanon-condemns-assassinating-hamas-leader-saleh-al-arouri-israeli-raid-1547368
https://english.almanar.com.lb/2015092
https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/01/02/lebanese-officials-had-requested-arrest-hamas-leader-killed-strike-report/
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-1064768
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-1064730
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-1064728
https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/2024_q1/Article-e85991b79cbcc81026.htm
https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/2024_q1/Article-0263109080bcc81027.htm
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hjxl5emoa
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ryilwrz00p
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hjecccbop
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/syobtab00t
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sj113ztb00p
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/r1ylm6bdt
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/15041348
https://yalibnan.com/2024/01/03/israeli-drone-kills-deputy-hamas-chief-saleh-al-arouri-in-beirut/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjfn3rbo6
https://news.walla.co.il/item/3633002