'Hamas says Israel assassinated its deputy leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri, in Beirut

Tuesday 2-January-2024, BEIRUT, (PIC)

The Hamas Movement has announced that the Israeli occupation regime assassinated Sali'h Al-'Arouri, deputy head of its political bureau, and three of his companions in an attack that targeted a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday evening.

“The cowardly assassinations that are carried out by the Zionist occupation against our people’s leaders and symbols inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking our people’s will and steadfastness or undermining their valiant resistance,” member of Hamas’s political bureau Ezzat Al-Rishiq said in a statement.

Earlier, the Lebanese news agency reported that four people were killed and others were injured in a blast that targeted a building containing an office for the Hamas Movement in Al-Mushrifiyah area in the southern suburb of Beirut. 

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Hamas Deputy Chief Sali'h Al-'Arouri killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon

Al-Mayadeen Today, January 2, 2024, at 18:58 Beirut time -

An Israeli air strike targeting a building in Beirut's Southern Suburb (Al-Dha'hiya) has killed at least 6 people, including 'Hamas deputy chief Sali'h Al-'Arouri.

The leader of the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, was threatened to be assassinated openly by Israeli leaders, on August 2023. 

Lebanon's National News Agency reported that "an Israeli drone targeted an office of the 'Hamas movement in Musharafiya while "ambulances reached the area to transport casualties."

Al-Mayadeen's correspondent reported that an Israeli drone targeted the building with three missiles, resulting in the martyrdom of six individuals.

The Islamic Resistance Movement, 'Hamas, mourned the "great national leader," Sali'h Al-'Arouri, who commanded the Resistance in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and was the architect of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The late martyr and leader had previously discussed in an interview for Al Mayadeen increasing Israeli death threats against him. When asked about the issue, martyr al-'Arouri said: "The Israeli threat against me will not change my convictions, and it will not have an impact on the path [that I have chosen]."

"We hope that our lives will end with martyrdom, which we cherish," late martyr and leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri said.

Hamas official Al-Arouri stresses unity, determination

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Al-Aqsa Station 25 Aug 2023

The deputy head of the political bureau of 'Hamas, Saleh Al-'Arouri, underscores Palestinian unity, determination, and readiness for resistance.

During a television interview with the Palestinian Al-Aqsa TV, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, the deputy head of the political bureau of 'Hamas, said that the West Bank is now returning to the "repeated pages of glory," stressing that the Palestinian people are "unified in the West Bank, Gaza, the occupied territories in 1948, and the diaspora, adhering to their right and principles."

Al-'Arouri added that the people of Palestine are always ready "to confront [Israel] with resistance, to obtain their rights and defend their sanctities."

The deputy head of Hamas' political bureau stressed that every day they delay igniting a comprehensive battle against settlements in the West Bank would lead to waging the battle later under difficult and worse circumstances.

To exploit the internal division of the occupation

He also stressed the need to confront the occupation project at present, and "we have the opportunity in light of their internal division and in light of a global division and an unprecedented negative attitude towards this government."

"The occupation wants to demolish Al-Aqsa and Judaize Al-Quds, uproot our people from the West Bank, and falsify all of our history. Therefore, each of us must have a role in resisting the occupation in the West Bank," he added, describing the West Bank as the heart of the battle now.

Occupation "does not sleep at night"

He noted that despite having a limited number of active resistance fighters in the West Bank, the occupier "does not sleep at night."

The permanent state of tension, turmoil, and confusion of the occupation, has made occupation authorities' attempt to attract millions of settlers much more difficult, day after day.

"The Zionist government has taken settlement decisions, and has placed all tools in the hands of the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, the most extreme and insane person, and he says that at least one million settlers will be transferred to the West Bank, during the remaining tenure of this government."

The Hamas leader expressed his optimism when there are individual resistance operations by people who are not involved in any organization, "because we are all in one organization called the Palestinian people; this is our organization for which all the factions and the people work."

Hamas focuses its operations against the illegal Israeli settlements

In the same context, the deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas said that the movement "focuses its operations against settlements, because it is the heart of the occupation, and it is its most dangerous face."

Al-'Arouri considered in his speech that organized movements such as Hamas should always be ready to launch resistance, "but when the confrontation turns into comprehensive popular resistance, this is because of the occupation and its measures that push all the people to join the resistance."

The leader in Al-Hurmah addressed the people of the West Bank, saying: "We must fight, and there is no excuse for anyone to fail to participate in this battle, and I do not think that a young man from our people accepts this shame in his history and conscience."

Al-'Arouri stressed that "Hamas is part of this people and at the heart of the resistance, and we do not disavow or embarrass ourselves from the resistance, and therefore we are present in the resistance, and we do not accept ourselves to be absent from the resistance of our people."

Assassination threats do not scare us

Regarding the occupation's threats to assassinate leaders of the movement, Al-'Arouri stressed that this matter is not new, as the occupation project began with massacres, killings, displacement, and torture, and it assassinates everyday martyrs from among the Palestinian people.

Al-'Arouri stressed that "these threats do not frighten us, and we as the Palestinian people do not have options, and therefore we will not stop resisting." 

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Palestinian Resistance factions mourn martyred leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri

 Al Mayadeen, January 2, 2024

The Resistance factions confirm that the Israeli occupation will pay a heavy price for all the crimes it committed, including the assassination of Hamas' Deputy Chief and senior leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri.

Palestinian Resistance factions condemned the assassination of the Deputy Chief of Hamas' political bureau Sali'h Al-'Arouri on Tuesday in an Israeli drone strike that targeted Lebanon's Beirut Southern Suburb, declaring that this crime will not break the Resistance's will to fight the occupation.

Hamas mourned the "great national leader" Al-'Arouri, who commanded the Resistance in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and was the architect of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

A member of 'Hamas' politburo, 'Izzat al-Rashiq, affirmed that the Israeli occupation will not succeed in undermining the Resistance's courage and resistance through the assassination of Palestinian Resistance figures and leaders both inside and outside Palestine.

Al-Rashiq stated in a press release that the assassination of the 'Hamas leader demonstrates, yet again, the utter failure of the occupation to achieve any of its war objectives in the Gaza Strip.

Israelis aim to expand the war to cover up their failure in Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement mourned leader Sali'h Al-'Arouri and his fellow martyrs.

The Resistance group emphasized that the assassination operation aims to expand the conflict and drag the entire region into war so Israelis can cover up their military failure in the Gaza Strip and the political impasse faced by the Israeli government. The crime also comes after the failed Israeli attempts to impose its conditions on the Palestinian people while the Resistance still has had the upper hand politically and militarily.

Talking to Al-Mayadeen, PIJ's spokesperson Mus'ab Al-Bureim recalled that leader Al-'Arouri spent his life on the battlefields of Resistance and was martyred on the path of al-Quds.

Al-Bureim confirmed that his assassination confirmed his significant and strong role, as he was a source of concern for the Israeli entity. He added, "We will continue to be a source of concern for the Israeli entity and pave the way, through the choice of martyrdom, for its eradication from the heart of the nation."

The spokesperson pointed out that the Resistance is growing stronger, evidently by carrying out the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and delivering a powerful blow to the occupation through it.

"The Resistance has become a genetic trait passed from one generation to another," he added.

On the Resistance's core strength, Al-Bureim noted that "Al-Arouri spoke clearly about his convictions regarding the effectiveness of Resistance through uniting the battlefields."

On his part, I'hsan Ataya, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, emphasized to Al-Mayadeen that the Israeli entity will pay a heavy price for its all crimes, including the assassination of leader Al-'Arouri.

Furthermore, a leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Maher al-Taher, announced that "avenging the blood" of martyr al-Arouri is "inevitable".

Mourning the martyrdom of Al-Arouri, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stressed that "defencing our people only increases our determination to resist."

The Resistance group vowed the Israeli enemy with retaliation for all its crimes against the Palestinian people.

Resistance resolve will not be weakened

The leadership of the Popular Resistance Committees affirmed that the heinous assassination crime of martyr Al-'Arouri and Resistance leaders will not weaken the resolve of the Resistance but will only "intensify it in Palestine and on all fronts confronting the Zionist enemy."

"The policy of assassinations pursued by the Zionist enemy against the leaders of the Resistance has always proven its failure in undermining the determination of our people who aspire to liberate their land, no matter how great the sacrifices may be."

The Committees also confirmed that the Resistance will "undoubtedly avenge the blood of Sheikh Saleh and every drop of blood shed by the sons of our people in this open confrontation with the defeated Zionist enemy."

'Israeli threats will not change my convictions'

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also mourned the martyred senior Hamas official.

In a statement, Dr. Salim 'Atallah said, "The policy of assassinations will only make us more steadfast and committed to our path until we end the occupation of all of Palestine."

"The enemy will pay a heavy price for this cowardly crime and for all the crimes it has committed against our people," he added.

The martyred leader had previously discussed in an interview for Al Mayadeen increasing Israeli death threats against him. When asked about the issue, martyr Al-'Arouri said, "The Israeli threat against me will not change my convictions, and it will not have an impact on the path [that I have chosen]."

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Exclusive - Al-'Arouri: Resistance Axis preparing for all-out war

By Al-Mayadeen English

 Al-Mayadeen, 25 Aug 2023, at 21:46

Saleh Al-Arouri, Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, discussed a range of topics in an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, including the spread of the Resistance in the West Bank, the potential for an all-out regional war, and relations with regional countries.

Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Sali'h Al-'Arouri, stated in an exclusive interview with Al-Mayadeen that the occupation has made numerous decisions regarding assassinations, targeting many individuals such as the leader Mu'hammed Al-Dhayf, who they attempted to assassinate multiple times and ultimately killed his family.

"The Israeli threat against my person does not change my beliefs and stances, nor will it alter my path by so much as an inch," he said. 

"We are believers, and we hope to conclude our lives with martyrdom, which we hold in high esteem, and that is the great victory in our eyes."

The Resistance in the West Bank Proliferates 

The deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas explained that day by day the power balance tips in favor of the Resistance and its allies, noting that the most important element of this new equation is the spread of the Resistance in the West Bank. 

"The occupation's army has mobilized over 30 brigades in the northern West Bank to neutralize the Resistance, yet it [the resistance] continues to grow more powerful and steadfast."

"The proliferation of the Resistance across the entire West Bank is a nightmare for the occupation, striking panic and fear [within the ranks of occupation]."

Al-Arouri further highlighted that "the Resistance has foiled the policies of the fascist [Israeli] government, such as settlement expansion in the West Bank."

Every Israeli official who adopts extremist policies ends up facing an unprecedented defeat, as was the case with Rabin and Sharon, he added.

Al-'Arouri pointed out that the government of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir aims to displace Palestinians from the West Bank, increase settlements, and gain control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"This extremist government will suffer a resounding defeat, which would lead to their withdrawal from the entire West Bank," he added. 

The senior Resistance official also noted that the ruling elite in the occupied territories, which is driven by racism and fascism, will breed internal divisions and ruin the entity's foreign relations. These sources of instability will eventually bring about the destruction of the occupation regime. 

"The leaders of the occupation government, with their extremist policies, will cause an all-out war in the region."

"Smotrich desires a major conflict that would allow him to displace Palestinians from the West Bank and the '48 territories. Some in the cabinet are considering actions such as taking control of Al-Aqsa Mosque and dividing it, along with assassinations, knowing that this would lead to a regional war."

Regional War

Regarding an all-out regional confrontation, Al-Arouri affirmed that "the Resistance alliance is prepared and motivated by reason, will, and common interests to partake in a regional war, and the active parties are ready and prepared for it."

"If we reach the point of an all-out confrontation, Israel will face an unprecedented defeat in its history, and we are confident of that."

The battle for liberation in the West Bank is currently on the table, and Palestine has now entered the era of resolving this conflict, as evidenced by the attempts at the Judaization of the West Bank and the deportation of Palestinians, Al-Arouri pointed out. The breakout of an all-out war is inevitable at this point, he continued. 

Al-Arouri also reminded of the commitment expressed by the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, when he said that any attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds would be met with regional war, and also recalled Sayyid Nasrallah's speech on the liberation of Al-Jalil.

"We are preparing for an all-out war, and we are closely discussing the prospects of this war with all relevant parties."

Furthermore, he added, "The all-out war will be a defeat for Israel, and we see that classical wars have changed, and this is evidenced by the conflict in Ukraine."

Resistance Operations Against Settlers

In regards to the Resistance operations against settlers, the Hamas official stated that the current Israeli plot is centered around increasing the number of settlers in the West Bank, and to confront this plot, it is necessary to strike at its central subject.

"Due to Israeli technological advancement and security cooperation, Resistance cells struggle to sustain themselves. However, the recent developments in the West Bank changed the situation; they are expanding the base of resistance operations and developing goals and means."

Al-Arouri also called on all Palestinian youth in the West Bank to partake in resistance in any way possible.

Furthermore, he added that if an all-out conflict erupts, Resistance forces are capable of closing off the airspace and sea of the occupation regime, leaving them devoid of electricity and communication infrastructure.

Resistance Factions Meeting 

"Hamas has adopted the position and decision to keep national dialogues ongoing and to avoid reaching a rupture," Al-Arouri said.

"The meetings between factions do not solve all the problems because we have differences in visions and approaches."

"Hamas has a vision that Resistance is the solution to confront the occupation, but our brother Abou Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] insists on international legitimacy and international institutions and rejects Resistance."

He affirmed, however, that "meetings between different factions alleviate tensions and solve some problems, and we say that the administration in Gaza follows the government in Ramallah."

Al-Arouri addressed the issue of the Palestinian Authority's arrest of Resistance members, saying, "This issue can only be resolved by changing the [Palestinian] authority's approach."

He continued, "The stance of the PIJ in calling for the liberation of the Resistance members is valid, and this is a pertinent problem we suffer from, but we believe that dialogue helps solve this problem."

In regards to prisoner exchange, he pointed out that it remains on the table, but the complications are from the Israeli occupation's end. 

"We are ready to conduct a prisoner exchange deal, but the Netanyahu government is not ready yet."

 'Ain Al-Hilwah Camp

Al-Arouri confirmed that "Hamas had no hand in the events of the 'Ain Al-Hilwah camp but rather contributed to the ceasefire and preventing escalation to find solutions."

Hamas, he said, spoke with the Lebanese leadership for the purpose of working on a ceasefire.

"Hamas is keen to build better relations with all components of Ain Al-Hilweh camp for the sake of maintaining calm. [However] it does not provide direct or indirect support for anyone in the 'Ain Al-Hilwah camp."

Regarding the formation of a national unity government, Al-Arouri stated that "there are no understandings or prospects of understanding with Fatah to form a national unity government." "We were offered the formation of a national unity government, and we rejected it unless legislative and presidential elections are held."

Arab and International Stances

The official also discussed relations with Saudi Arabia, saying "From our side, there has been no change in our attitude towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the change occurred on their part in the relationship."

"Our close relationship with Iran is natural, and it remains the same despite the rapprochement or divergence between Riyadh and Tehran."

He further emphasized that building relationships with all countries is in favor of the Palestinian cause.

"Perhaps there are shifts in Saudi Arabia, and we hope that they [the shifts] are in favor of the Palestinian cause and [we hope] that there would be no Saudi normalization with Israel, as rumored."

Al-Arouri noted that the prospect of a Saudi normalization deal with "Israel" would be different from the normalization of any other country because Saudi Arabia holds de facto religious legitimacy by hosting Islamic sanctities, and a normalization deal would entail a recognition of "Israel's" authority over the Islamic sanctities in Al-Quds. 

Regarding relations with Syria, Al-Arouri said, "There was a disruption in the relationship with Syria, and Hamas' stance towards Syria remains unchanged. We do not interfere in internal conflicts."

"We wanted to correct the disruption in the relationship with Syria. There are current bilateral meetings, and we have not received any negative messages from Syria." He added that he expressed his hopes that the process of reestablishing relations would proceed well.

Regarding Qatari-Palestinian relations, Al-Arouri said that "Qatar did not reduce the value of the financial grant to the Gaza Strip. Instead, there have only been delays or changes in its dissemination."

Exclusive - Al Arouri: Resistance Axis preparing for all-out war | Al Mayadeen English