Explosion Claims Hamas Deputy Leader’s Life in Lebanon

Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri has been reported killed in an explosion that occurred south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, according to Hamas officials who confirmed his death, TuraNews.kz reports.

Al-Arouri, who held the position of deputy head of Hamas’s politburo, played a significant role in both the political and military aspects of the organization. The explosion, reported by Lebanese state media, took place near the Hamas office in Denmark, a suburb of Beirut.

In addition to Al-Arouri, Hamas stated that two commanders from the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the movement, named Samir Fendi and Azzam al-Aqra, were also among the casualties. The total number of individuals killed in the blast reached seven, including four other members.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati labeled the incident in the Beirut suburb a crime, asserting that it aimed to escalate tensions between Lebanon and Israel. While Israel has not officially acknowledged any involvement in the explosion, senior adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mark Regev, emphasized in an interview with MSNBC that the attack was not directed at the Lebanese state. He stated, “Whoever did this dealt a surgical blow to the Hamas leadership.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, declared the military’s state of high readiness for any scenario in response to the unfolding situation.