Hamas Promises Retaliation Following Death of Deputy Leader: Escalating Tensions Towards War

People in Lebanon gather outside a damaged building in the southern suburb of Dahieh in Beirut, where a large explosion occurred on the 2nd (local time)./AP·Yonhap News

The second-in-command of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was assassinated in Lebanon on the 2nd (local time) prompting vows of retaliation from Hamas and the Islamic militant group Hezbollah. This has raised concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas may spread and intensify in neighboring countries.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly launched a drone strike on a Hamas office on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, around 6 p.m. that day. According to the reports from AP, AFP, and Reuters citing Lebanon’s state news agency NNA, six people, including Saleh al-Arouri the second-in-command of Hamas’ political bureau and ranked third in the overall Hamas hierarchy, were killed in the attack.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei (right) is meeting with the political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh (center), and deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri on June 21, 2023 (local time) in Tehran, Iran./Provided by the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader·AP·Yonhap News

◇ Death of the second-in-command in Hamas office bombing in Lebanon… Hamas, Hezbollah vows retaliation
U.S. Department of Defense: “This attack is an act of Israel, Israel”… Israel: “Expecting retaliation such as long-range rocket launches”

The explosion led to a fire in Hadi Nasrallah Street in southern Beirut and shook Mousharafieh a suburb in the southern part of Beirut which is a Hezbollah stronghold, AP reported.

The Lebanese and Iranian governments have condemned Israel for the attack, and Hamas and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation. A U.S. Department of Defense official told The Washington Post (WP) that Israel was responsible for the airstrike.

The Times of Israel (TOI) reported that the Israeli military while not confirming the rumors behind the attack is expecting retaliation against Israel such as long-range rocket launches citing local Hebrew media outlets Walla and Channel 13 News.

Arouri, who has been leading the Hamas military organization in the West Bank and directing terrorist activities in Lebanon in cooperation with Hezbollah has been targeted for removal by the Israeli military since before the outbreak of this war on October 8 last year along with Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar and military leader Mohammed Deif.

Palestinians are protesting the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in the West Bank on the 2nd (local time)./Reuters·Yonhap News

◇ General strike in the West Bank… Lebanon’s Interim Prime Minister: “Israel is luring Lebanon into a new confrontation phase”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry: “Freedom fighters around the world will fight against the Zionist occupiers”

The attack could not only strengthen support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank which is governed by the Palestinian Authority (PA). If Hezbollah backed by Iran carries out a retaliatory attack, it could lead to an escalation of the conflict.

The Ramallah branch of the Fatah party which is affiliated with Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the PA has declared a general strike on the 3rd in response to the airstrike. The Times of Israel (TOI) interpreted this as a reconfirmation of Hamas’s popularity in the West Bank.

Senior Hamas leader Izat al-Risheq issued a statement that day saying, “Our brave resistance in the Gaza Strip will never weaken,” expressing his determination for retaliation.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned in a public speech last August that “assassinations of Lebanese, Syrians, Iranians, and Palestinians on Lebanese soil will face a firm response.” He added, “We will not tolerate this, and we will not allow Lebanon to become a new killing field for Israel.” TOI also reported that he is scheduled to give a TV speech on the 3rd.

Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati also criticized the attack as a ‘new crime by Israel,’ accusing the Israeli government of trying to draw Lebanon into a new phase of confrontation.

Nasser Kanani, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel for ‘despicably’ assassinating Arouri.

Spokesperson Kanani emphasized, “The blood of the martyr will undoubtedly create another big wave in the veins of resistance motivating not only Palestinians but all people around the world seeking freedom to fight against the Zionist occupiers.”

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli military and Hezbollah have been engaged in intense fighting several kilometers from the border, but the Israeli Air Force has repeatedly struck Hezbollah targets within Lebanon.

By. Man Joo Ha