03 January 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: The destroyed Hamas’ workplace that was attacked by Israel on 02 January killing Palestinian leader Saleh al-Arouri and 6 others pictured from shattered glass in Beirut southern suburb. Photo: Marwan Naamnai/dpa (Photo by Marwan Naamnai/image alliance through Getty Images)
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The killing of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut has sparked fears that the war in Gaza may unfold beyond the Palestinian enclave.
Al-Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas, was killed on Tuesday alongside six different members of the Palestinian militant group after his dwelling in southern Beirut was reportedly focused by a drone strike.
Lebanon has claimed Israel is accountable for the blast and accused Israel of making an attempt to tug Beirut right into a regional war.
Israel has not claimed duty for the strike, whereas an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “surgical” hit on Hamas, reasonably than an assault on Lebanon.
A spokesperson for Israel’s army has stated it was “extremely ready for any state of affairs” following the assassination of al-Arouri.
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, a British suppose tank, stated Wednesday that the Beirut strike had actually elevated the chance of opening up one other entrance in the Israel-Hamas war.
“This assault, which is believed to be attributed clearly to the Israeli authorities, may result in a extra decisive Hezbollah response,” Vakil instructed CNBC’s “Street Signs Europe.”
“And I believe that’s maybe what the Israeli authorities is making an attempt to attain: To goad Hezbollah right into a broader war but additionally to show that its intent to go after broader Hamas management all over the place is certainly being met with actuality.”
Deputy Chairman of the Movement’s Political Bureau Saleh Al-Arouri makes a speech after signing the reconciliation settlement to construct a consensus with Palestinian Fatah motion leader Azzam Al-Ahmad (not seen) in Cairo, Egypt on October 12, 2017.
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Vakil stated, nonetheless, that Hezbollah was unlikely to attempt to reply to the Beirut blast in a significant means, including that the Lebanese militant group is “way more cautious as an entity.” The drone strike, she added, appeared to show Hezbollah’s weak spot and Israel’s army intelligence.
“Looking via this assault, however extra broadly, the goals of the Israeli authorities and the [Israeli Defense Forces] are to attempt to weaken all of the proxies across the area in order to strengthen Israel’s safety after October seventh,” Vakil stated.
A spokesperson for Israel’s authorities didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark.
The United Nations peacekeeping power in Lebanon on Wednesday stated it’s deeply involved a couple of potential escalation of violence, Reuters reported, citing a spokesperson warning that it might have devastating penalties for each Israel and Lebanon.
What is Hezbollah?
The killing of al-Arouri comes virtually three months after Israel launched a floor invasion and airstrike marketing campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ shock assault on Oct. 7.
Hezbollah and armed forces in Israel have exchanged near daily cross-border fire since Hamas’ lethal assault on Israel, though the violence has thus far been contained to the Israel-Lebanon border.
Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, operates as both a political party and paramilitary group and is designated by the U.S. and Israel as a terrorist group.
Benjamin H. Friedman, coverage director at Defense Priorities, a overseas coverage suppose tank primarily based in Washington, D.C., stated the killing of a prime Hamas official in Lebanon makes the escalation of a simmering battle with Hezbollah extra possible.
“An Israel war with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, dangers drawing the United States into one other war in the Middle East. That is a prospect we must always try to keep away from. Israel ought to defend itself with out direct U.S. participation,” Friedman stated.
“Israel has a proper to focus on Hamas members overseas, and the United States has a proper to defend its forces in the area,” Friedman continued. “Yet the flareups that threaten wider war for the United States confront us with the query of what U.S. curiosity is served by going to war for Israel, successfully on behalf of its war in Gaza.”
“We would possibly even ask if the prospect of U.S. help towards Hezbollah encourages Israeli belligerence,” Friedman stated. “Hence the United States must be clear that help for Israel won’t embrace a taking pictures war on its behalf,” he added.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense declined to remark.