The Killing of Saleh al-Arouri; A Significant Name Removed from Israel's Wanted List

With the killing of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas leader in Lebanon, a significant name is removed from Israel's wanted list. However, his death could push the exiled leaders of this Palestinian group further into hiding and disrupt efforts for negotiations, ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages. According to Reuters, Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, was killed in a drone strike attributed to Israel in a Hezbollah base in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah is supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a staunch supporter of Hamas, Israel's fierce enemy. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its role in the attack, but this action comes a month after Israeli television network 'Kan' aired comments from the head of 'Shin Bet', the country's internal security service, promising to hunt down Hamas leaders in Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar, even if it takes years. On Wednesday, David Barnea, the head of the 'Mossad', Israel's intelligence agency, stated that he is committed to 'settling accounts' with Hamas and added that actions would be taken against those who were directly or indirectly involved in the October 15 terrorist attack. Ashraf Aboulhol, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian newspaper 'Al-Ahram' and a Palestinian affairs expert, says that al-Arouri's killing 'may force Hamas to harden its position so that it does not appear to be yielding under pressure or threats of further assassination.' The current situation is dangerous for both the two million Palestinians trying to survive Israeli bombings in Gaza and the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls Gaza. Negotiators from Hamas, including al-Arouri, were negotiating with Israel through Qatari mediation regarding a potential ceasefire in the war and the release of more Israeli hostages. According to an informed source, the two sides discussed ceasefire and hostage release last week with Qatari mediation; a period during which the plan to attack al-Arouri was likely in its final stages of preparation. Analysts say that security concerns may complicate matters now. Mohannad Hij Ali, a Middle East expert in Beirut, says that in recent years, Palestinian groups active in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is a powerful player, have been relatively secure, but now they must be very cautious. Saleh al-Arouri, 57, was the first senior political leader of Hamas to be killed outside the Palestinian territories after the group's attack on Israel on October 15. Following this terrorist attack, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and free the Israeli hostages. Some analysts tell Reuters that losing one of the key figures may lead Hamas to adopt a tougher stance against Israel, which is currently continuing its ground and air assaults against this Palestinian group. However, Hamas's approach in this regard is still unclear. Hussam Badran, a Hamas political leader in exile, emphasizes the continuation of the fight against Israel on all fronts in response to al-Arouri's killing. Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, stresses that al-Arouri's death will have 'consequences' for Israel, stating that the group is ready to discuss various issues if Israel completely halts its attacks. The assassination of al-Arouri in Beirut may also extend the Gaza war into Lebanon. Analysts say that Hezbollah is under pressure to avenge the death of its ally, especially since he was killed in 'Dahiyeh', the group's base in the suburbs of Beirut. Al-Arouri and Hamas leaders met with Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. Three Iranian internal sources closely linked to the country's hardline clerics say that this deadly attack has made the leaders of the Islamic Republic concerned about Israel's potential efforts to drag the conflict into Iranian territory. One of these informed sources noted that al-Arouri's killing shocked everyone in Tehran, stating that Tehran does not intend to directly enter this conflict, although this appears to be 'Israel's main goal.' Undoubtedly, the death of Saleh al-Arouri will make Hamas leaders more cautious. Since the October 15 terrorist attack on Israel, none of the leaders of this Palestinian group have been seen. Many believe that most of them have hidden in deep underground tunnels in the Gaza Strip to avoid the dangers of Israeli attacks. Several senior Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal, are in Turkey and Qatar, which are considered supporters of this Palestinian group. Turkey has repeatedly warned Israel not to take action against Hamas members residing in this country. Ankara arrested 34 people this week on suspicion of collaborating with Mossad to carry out operations against Palestinians in Turkey. Source: Reuters