Iran Condemns Killing of Hamas Deputy Chief in Israeli Strike

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian strongly denounced the death of Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas deputy chief, in an Israeli strike in Lebanon. He characterized the incident as a cowardly terrorist operation by the Jewish nation, alleging that it exemplifies Israel’s failure to achieve its goals despite weeks of war crimes and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank. Amir-Abdollahian labeled Israel a terror state, asserting that it poses a threat to regional peace and security.

The attack, which targeted a Hamas office in Beirut, resulted in the death of seven Hamas members, including aides of al-Arouri. While Israel has not commented on the incident, it is reportedly on high alert for potential retaliation from Hamas or its ally, Hezbollah. The Hamas, in response, announced a freeze on ceasefire negotiations with Israel.

Al-Arouri, a key Hamas figure and founder of the al-Qassam Brigades, had been imprisoned in Israel for over 18 years before his release in 2010, and he played a central role in the group’s leadership. Israel had previously threatened to assassinate him, linking him directly to an attack in 2023 that sparked the Gaza conflict.