Israel-Gaza war: conflict extends into Beirut with killing of Hamas leader as fighting intensifies

On Wednesday, Israeli forces escalated their bombardment of the Gaza Strip, instructing civilians to evacuate a refugee camp in the northern part of the Palestinian territory. This development comes as the conflict extends into Lebanon with the assassination of the Hamas deputy leader in Beirut. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the drone strike that killed Saleh al-Arouri in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. However, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli forces were on high alert and prepared for any eventuality.

The assassination of Arouri is a clear indication that the nearly three-month-long war between Israel and Hamas is spreading across the region. It has drawn in the occupied West Bank, Hezbollah forces on the Lebanon-Israel border, and even Red Sea shipping lanes. Arouri, a 57-year-old resident of Beirut, was the first senior Hamas political leader to be assassinated since Israel launched its offensive against the militant group in response to its deadly incursion into Israeli towns on October 7.

Hossam Badran, a member of the Hamas politburo, declared in a eulogy for Arouri: 'We say to the criminal occupation [Israel] that the battle between us is open. ' Israel had long accused Arouri of orchestrating attacks on its citizens. However, a Hamas official revealed that he was also 'at the heart of negotiations' conducted by Qatar and Egypt concerning the outcome of the Gaza war and the release of Hamas-held Israeli hostages. Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was scheduled to deliver a speech in Beirut on Wednesday afternoon. He had previously cautioned Israel against carrying out assassinations on Lebanese soil, vowing a 'severe reaction'.