Israeli forces escalated their bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip yesterday, urging civilians to evacuate a northern refugee camp as the conflict spilled into Lebanon with the reported killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut.
Israel, while not confirming the drone strike that allegedly took out Arouri, maintained a high state of readiness. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military spokesperson, stated, “Israeli forces are prepared for any scenario.”
The assassination signals an expansion of the nearly three-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, reaching into the occupied West Bank, involving Hezbollah forces on the Lebanon-Israel border, and impacting Red Sea shipping lanes.
Arouri, 57, residing in Beirut, became the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated since Israel’s offensive began in response to the group’s incursion into Israeli towns on Oct. 7.
Hamas politburo member Hossam Badran declared in a eulogy for Arouri: “We say to the criminal occupation (Israel) that the battle between us is open.”
Accused by Israel of orchestrating attacks, Arouri was also reportedly central to negotiations by Qatar and Egypt concerning the Gaza war’s outcome and the release of Hamas-held Israeli hostages.
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, set to address the situation in Beirut, had previously cautioned Israel against conducting assassinations on Lebanese soil, promising a “severe reaction.”
Hezbollah, a strong ally of Hamas, has engaged in near-daily clashes with Israel across Lebanon’s southern border since the onset of the Gaza war, resulting in over 100 Hezbollah fighters and two dozen civilians killed on Lebanese territory, along with at least nine Israeli soldiers in Israel.
After Arouri’s assassination, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon expressed deep concern about the potential escalation with “devastating consequences for people on both sides of the border.”
The Israeli military reported “intensive battles” with militants continuing in Gaza, specifically in the southern city of Khan Younis, aiming to root out Hamas leaders. Reports from residents and Palestinian media indicated Israeli forces targeted Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in the northern part of Hamas-ruled Gaza overnight, demolishing several multi-floor buildings. Leaflets were dropped, instructing residents to evacuate seven districts in Al-Nusseirat.
