The joint Mossad/IDF intelligence operation in Lebanon has led to the deaths of many top Hamas leaders.
Saleh al-Arouri was killed along with others when a bomb exploded in Beirut in the building where they were meeting other “resistance groups”.
Multiple reports confirm that Hamas Deputy Head Saleh al-Arouri and senior leaders Osama Hamdan and Khalil al-Hayya have been killed in an explosion in Beirut.
A powerful reminder to Hamas leadership that Israel will find them and target them.
No matter where. No matter when. pic.twitter.com/oTtv3dFFyR
— Eli Kowaz (@elikowaz) January 2, 2024
According to reports, Khalil al Hayya, Hamas deputy political director for Gaza, Abu Amar who is the head of Hamas in southern Lebanon, and Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan have also been killed. However, their identities are not confirmed.
Salah Al Aruri wasn’t only meeting Hamas officials. He was reportedly meeting other “resistance factions” leaders. This means that he was probably meeting with Hamas, Fatah, and other Palestinian and Lebanese terror groups’ leaders.
This was a brilliant hit by Israel, and the… https://t.co/R7Ey1zyrdg
— Khaled Hassan (@Khaledhzakariah) January 2, 2024
According to journalist Yossimelman, the targeted attack was part of an IDF/Mossad joint military intelligence operation.
Al-Arouri, about six weeks before the surprise attacks on October 7, gave an exclusive interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al Mayadeen. In the interview, he stated that the group was working closely with “all parties” as they prepared for a “full-scale war.” He claimed that certain members of Netanyahu’s government were preparing for a “major conflict,” and planned to conduct assassinations, and “take control” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to begin it.
“The extremist policies of the leaders of the occupation will lead to a war in the entire region.”
“Smotrich wants a major war that will allow him to expel Palestinians from West Bank and ’48 territories.” Cabinet members are considering assassinations and taking control of Al-Aqsa Mosque, to start a war.
Al-Arouri said that the battle for liberation is now on the table. Palestine has entered the age of resolving the conflict as shown by attempts to Judaize the West Bank and deport Palestinians. He continued that a full-scale war was inevitable at this stage.
“We are preparing an all-out conflict and are discussing its prospects with all parties concerned.”
During the period between the interview and the attack on October 7, Israel had not carried out any assassinations nor taken control of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem. Yet, this attack happened anyway, much to the delight of al-Arouri.
October 7th: Hamas deputy leader Saleh Al-Arouri (on the left, next to the flag) thanks Allah for Hamas’ rape, beheading, mutilating, lynching, and burning of 1,200 Israeli civilians, and kidnapping of hundreds 👇
Today he was eliminated in Beirut 🎯 pic.twitter.com/J094gD8JnO
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) January 2, 2024
USA Today reported on October 20 that Israel “launched an international manhunt” to find al-Arouri. He’s a crucial link between Hamas, Iran and Hamas. Israel hunts the world for him.
He’s being pursued not only for his insider information about the attack but also for his connections to others.
Hamas’s attack was far more extensive than anyone could have imagined. Mass border invasion. Drones and paragliders. Ferocious rocket fire. Precise raids against military surveillance, communication, and intelligence hubs. These plans have the hallmarks that sophisticated outsiders are behind them.
Former and current intelligence officials claim that Arouri is located at the intersection of three entities. These are Hamas, Hezbollah (the terrorist group based in Lebanon, which is considered to be the most powerful in the world), and Iran, which sponsors terrorism the most.
Al-Arouri was expelled from Qatar and Turkey for his terrorist activities. In 2018, the U.S. announced that it would offer a $5 million reward to anyone who could provide information leading up to his arrest. His resume is impressive on his page at Counter Extremism Project:
Saleh al-Arouri, a Hamas financier and military leader who had been designated by the United States as such, was reported to have been expelled from Qatar back in June 2017.
Hamas appointed Arouri deputy leader of the political bureau in its October 2017 election.
Arouri facilitated money transfers and weapons transfers to Hamas in the 1980s and helped establish the West Bank branch of Hamas’s Military Wing.
Arouri is accused of orchestrating the kidnapping, murder, and disappearance of three Israeli teens in June 2014 on the West Bank. This sparked the summer conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to reports, he also created and managed Hamas’s bureau in Turkey up until his expulsion in 2015.
Arouri was accused by the U.S. Treasury of being “a key financier, financial facilitator and Hamas military cell planning attacks and fomenting discontent.”
In November 2018, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program offered a reward of $5 million for information that led to Arouri’s arrest.
Rewards for Justice poster of Saleh Al-Arouri. pic.twitter.com/i2hepyxDoI
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) January 2, 2024
It is important to keep in mind that Israel declared war on Hamas after the attacks of October 7 and that al-Arouri served as a commander for Hamas.
The “resistance groups” are expected to attempt a form of retaliation for the strike. Coordination will be difficult since al-Arouri served as a key player in communications, money transfers, and weapon transfers. The IDF has said they are ready for any retaliation.
“The IDF is in a very high state of readiness in all arenas, in defense and offense. We are highly prepared for any scenario. The most important thing to say tonight is that we are focused and remain focused on fighting Hamas.” – Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, IDF Spokesperson pic.twitter.com/3D6ImrjymE
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 2, 2024
Remember that interview in August with the Muslim Brotherhood propaganda outlet? In it, al-Arouri said:
“We are Christians, and we want to end our lives as martyrs, something we highly value, so that’s the big victory for us.”
It is heartwarming to know that the IDF can help al-Arouri achieve this goal.
