The Israeli army said this morning that it was prepared for “any scenario”but did not claim responsibility for the attack in Beirut that killed the number two of the Palestinian Islamist movement HamasSaleh al-Arouri.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “are in a very high state of readiness in all areas, defense and offense. We are highly prepared for any scenario. The most important thing we can say tonight is that we are focused and will remain focused on The struggle”. against Hamas,” said IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Hamas confirmed on its official channel, Al-Aqsa TV, The attack that caused the death of Al Arouri.vice president of the political office of the Palestinian Islamist movement, and at least six other militants, including the leader’s bodyguards.
The attack raised fears in the Arab world and the international community about the risk of the conflict spreading to other regions of the Middle East.
The president of France, Emmanuel Macronstressed on Tuesday “that it is essential to avoid any climbing attitudeespecially in Lebanon, and that France will continue to transmit these messages to all actors directly or indirectly involved in the area.”
In a statement, the Elysée, the French presidency, said Macron had a telephone conversation with the leader of the Israeli opposition and member of the emergency government, Benny Gantz.
The French head of state also expressed “deep concern about the very high number of civilian deaths and the situation of absolute humanitarian emergency” in the Gaza Strip.
The French president recalled “Israel’s imperative” to protect civilians and underlined the “urgency” of delivering humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza, while defending “a lasting ceasefire, with the help of all regional actors.” and international”.
The attack that killed al-Arouri targeted the Hamas office in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, a stronghold of the Shiite Hezbollah movement, an ally of Hamas.
Al-Arouri was one of Hamas’s main negotiators in the release of hostages taken by the group in the October 7 attack on Israel.
This was the first time since the start of the current war in the Gaza Strip that Israel attacked the Lebanese capital.
Clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah were until then limited to the border areas of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned on Tuesday on the social network X that “this new Israeli crime aims to drag Lebanon into a new phase of confrontations.”
Also on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and warned that al-Arouri’s death “will further motivate the fight against Israel,” “not only in Palestine, but in the region and among all defenders of peace.” freedom throughout the world.
Source: TSF
