January 2nd 2024.
The assassination of Saleh Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas and founder of the group's military wing, has sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East. Arouri was killed in an apparent Israeli drone strike in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, sparking renewed fears of the conflict spilling beyond Gaza and into the wider region.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese group, condemned the killing as a ‘serious assault’ on the country, and stated that the deaths of Arouri and other Al-Qassam members ‘will not go without a response or punishment’. The group warned that the resistance has ‘its finger on the trigger’.
This attack comes as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly three months. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the assault until Hamas is crushed and the hostages held by the militant group are freed.
Israeli officials have also warned of stepped-up action against Hezbollah unless its cross-border fire stops. This is the first time that Israel has reached into another country to target the upper leaders of Hamas, many of whom live in exile around the region.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is currently visiting the region, and has repeatedly warned Hezbollah — and its regional supporter, Iran — not to escalate the violence. Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters that they are 'focused and remain focused on fighting against Hamas', adding that they are 'on high readiness for any scenario'.
The killing of Saleh Arouri has certainly heightened tensions across the region, and it remains to be seen what the consequences of this drone strike will be. The world is watching closely to see how events unfold in the coming days.
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