Israeli Airstrike Claims Senior Hamas Leader Saleh al-Aruri’s Life in Beirut, Raising Fears of Escalation
An Israeli Airstrike, In a tragic turn of events, Beirut became the unexpected battleground for Israel’s aggression on Tuesday, claiming the life of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri. The Israeli Airstrike targeting a Hamas leader in Beirut’s southern suburbs, not only resulted in Aruri’s death and six others dead. reported by Lebanese media.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, denouncing it as an attempt to drag Lebanon into the Israel-Hamas war. The strike damaged two floors of the building and a car.
Human Toll Rises in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Continue
The past 24 hours witnessed relentless Israeli bombardment in Gaza, with the health ministry confirming 207 Palestinian lives lost and 338 more injured. The overall death toll in the besieged enclave now stands at a staggering 22,185, including a heartbreaking 9,100 children, with an additional 57,000 injured.
In another Israeli Airstrike in Khan Yunis, the Israeli army targeted the Palestinian Red Crescent headquarters. resulting in the death of at least five Palestinians. Israeli forces attacked the occupied West Bank, and five more Palestinians died. The humanitarian crisis is more critical in war zone.
Senior Hamas Leader’s Assassination Raises Regional Tensions
Hamas declared on Tuesday that Saleh al-Aruri, one of its senior leaders, was martyred in a “treacherous Zionist airstrike” in Beirut. Aruri, blamed by Israel, for masterminding many attacks, was considered a key figure in the group’s military wing.
The apparent attack not only dealt a blow to Hamas’ leadership but also heightened concerns of a broader Israel-Hamas conflict. Aruri’s killing marks that Israeli forces killed most senior Hamas leaders in the region. Since the outbreak of the conflict sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack.
Israel’s Response and Widening Concerns
While (IDF) has no comment on the announcement, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ominously stated that all of Israel’s enemies would “perish.” Former Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon praised the security agencies for the “assassination” of Aruri.
Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati condemned the Israeli Airstrike, labeling it a “new Israeli criminal, act” aimed at putting Lebanon into a fresh phase of the war. Fears of escalation persist, as the Beirut blast could broaden the arena of the Israel-Hamas conflict, it is the largest Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital Beirut since 2006.
Who Was Saleh al-Aruri?
Born in 1966, Saleh al-Aruri played a crucial role in founding Hamas’ military wing and was considered the mastermind behind arming the group. A member of Hamas since 1987, he held key positions, including leader in the West Bank and deputy head of the political bureau.
Aruri the past always on the hitlist of Israel was deported to Syria in 2010 and eventually settled in Lebanon. The U.S. Department of the Treasury In 2015, designated him as an international Terrorist with a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the Israeli Airstrike, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, adding urgency to international calls for a de-escalation of the conflict.
