The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has confirmed that the assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, the Deputy Head of its Political Bureau, signals Israeli intentions to escalate the conflict. The organization vowed to "continue the path to liberate Palestine."
Ayman Shanaa, the official in charge of national relations for Hamas in Lebanon, told Al Jazeera Net that the assassination of Al-Arouri reveals "the aggressive intentions of the Zionist enemy to expand the circle of targeting the movement's leadership." He added, "We have grown accustomed to their treachery and cowardice. They have not only been aggressive towards Gaza and the Palestinian territories, but have moved abroad as well."
Shanaa explained that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened the assassination of Hamas leaders outside of Palestine "to escape his internal predicament." He stated, "We took these threats seriously and took the necessary precautions, but ultimately it was God's will. As resistance fighters, we are destined to shed pure blood on the path of liberating Palestine."
The Hamas leader emphasized that "the terrorist assassination will not deter us from continuing our path to liberate Palestine. We are steadfast in our resistance project, and assassination operations will not intimidate us. Our goal is to liberate Palestine and expel the occupation."
The assassination of Al-Arouri is the first targeting a Hamas leader outside the occupied Palestinian territories since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7 of last year. Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to assassinate Hamas leaders in Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar.
Speech by Hassan Nasrallah
The world turns its attention to a speech by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, this Wednesday evening. The speech is scheduled for 6 p.m. during a commemorative celebration held by the party on the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Deputy Head of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces.
Regarding expectations for Nasrallah's speech, Shanaa told Al Jazeera Net, "There are no specific expectations… However, we will wait to hear what Nasrallah has to say so that we can act accordingly."
The Hamas official warned that "in any case, the crime of assassinating Al-Arouri will not go unpunished," while also noting that the movement's leaders have taken further preventive security measures in Lebanon.
