Israel Eliminates Top Hamas Official in Lebanon
An alleged Israeli drone strike on a Hamas office in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday night killed at least six, including Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group’s military wing. Al-Arouri was “viewed as one of the master planners of Hamas’s October 7 massacre in southern Israel” and “one of the main liaisons for Hamas to Lebanon and Iran.” He has organized several other terrorist operations that have led to Israeli deaths, including an attack that led to the 2014 Gaza War. Azzam al-Aqra and Samir Fendi, two commanders in Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, were also killed in the strike.
Now, Israel will turn its attention to the possibility of retaliation from the Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah, whose leaders have declared it will respond with retribution against Israel. Interim Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati demonstrated outrage toward Israel for the attack, as did leaders from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movement.
An attack on Lebanese soil opens up a much greater chance for an attack on Israel from the north. The IDF is prepared for such a scenario, but at a time when its forces are focused on Gaza in the south, a northern invasion certainly isn’t ideal. But assuming Israel ordered the strike, Al-Arouri’s death indicates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keeping his promise to find and eliminate all those responsible for the October massacre, no matter where they hide. And Israel has the right—and the obligation—to hold accountable each terrorist that planned the murder of 1,200 Israelis in a day.
