Two Commanders of Hamas' Military Wing Killed in Beirut Blast as Gaza Conflict Escalates

Hamas has confirmed that Saleh al Arouri, its second-in-command, was killed in the blast that targeted its Beirut office, according to reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency. The explosion claimed six lives in the Southern Beirut suburb. Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the killing of al Arouri as a "Israeli crime" purportedly aimed at dragging Lebanon further into the Palestine-Israel conflict. A correspondent from Sputnik reported that in response to the attack, Lebanon has extended its military engagement outside the Hamas office in Beirut in what is suspected to have been an Israeli drone strike. Extra troops and military resources were dispatched to the Al Mcharafieh locale on Beirut's southern edges. Ambulance and fire services were also deployed. Hezbollah, Lebanon's political and military power, has warned Israel of retaliation following the deadly explosion, stating in a release that the "crime will remain neither unreciprocated nor unpunished." Israeli media outlets have revealed enforced confidentiality order on ministers by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel is accused by Lebanon and Hamas of orchestrating the assassination of the deputy leader of the Palestinian faction.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem reportedly urged ministers not to publicly speak about the assassination while Israeli police prepared for possible rocket attacks and infiltration attempts. U.S. and Israeli authorities quoted by American media claim that Israel did not inform Washington before the airstrike. It wasn't until after the operation had started that Israeli leaders briefed the Biden administration about it. The attack on Hamas’ office in Beirut on Tuesday signifies a dramatic intensification in the ongoing three-month war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Al Arouri is the highest-ranking Hamas leader to be killed by Israel since the conflict ignited in early October. On October 7, Hamas initiated a full-scale rocket attack from Gaza against Israel, with fighters infiltrating the border and opening fire on military and civilian targets. The ensuing conflict led to over 1,200 deaths and almost 240 abductions in Israel. Israel retaliated with airstrikes, a comprehensive Gaza blockade, and a ground invasion into the Palestinian territory with the expressed purpose of eliminating Hamas combatants and rescuing hostages. Local authorities report that Israeli strikes have so far resulted in over 20,000 deaths in Gaza. On November 24, under the mediation of Qatar, a temporary truce was agreed between Israel and Hamas, involving the exchange of prisoners and hostages, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The ceasefire was repeatedly extended and lapsed on December 1.