Israel Blamed for Repercussions of Aruri’s Killing, Says Haniyeh
Hamas Leader Salih al-Aruri Killed in Attack in Lebanon
In a recent speech broadcast on Aksa TV, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh confirmed the deaths of several Hamas members in an attack on the Hamas office in Beirut, Lebanon. Among the casualties were Aruri and Hamas’ armed wing Izzeddin al-Qassam Commanders Semir Fendi, Azzam al-Akra, as well as Hamas members Mahmud Şahin and Muhammed Beşaşe. Haniyeh also stated that Muhammed er-Reis and Ahmed Hammud lost their lives in the attack.
Haniyeh condemned the killing of Aruri and the other Hamas leaders, calling it an act of terrorism and a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. He also emphasized that the responsibility for the repercussions of the attack lies with Israel, accusing the occupying Zionist state of attempting to break the resistance and determination of the Palestinian people.
The attack in which Aruri and the others lost their lives occurred when a drone targeted the Hamas office in the “Dahiye” region of Beirut, known as Hezbollah’s stronghold. While Israel did not officially claim responsibility for the attack, Israeli MP Danny Danon, a member of the ruling Likud Party, publicly congratulated Israeli forces for the action on social media.
Salih al-Aruri, born on August 19, 1966, in Ramallah, was the Deputy Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau and a key figure in the establishment of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. After serving 15 years in Israeli prisons, Aruri was deported and began living in Lebanon. He was also one of the main negotiators in a 2011 agreement between Hamas and Israel, which resulted in the release of 1027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier.
The killing of Salih al-Aruri and other Hamas members marks a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Hamas. As the situation continues to develop, the implications of these recent events on the conflict in the region remain to be seen.
