Emmanuel Macron
Following a strike reported to Israel that killed Hamas’s deputy leader in Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to avoid escalation, particularly in Lebanon, the Elysee Palace stated Tuesday.
According to the Elysee Palace, Macron, who spoke by phone with the Israeli minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz, said: “It is essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon, and that France would continue to pass on these messages to all players directly or indirectly involved in the area”.
The Israeli army has stated that it is prepared for any scenario following a hit in Beirut that killed Hamas’s deputy chief, fueling fears that the Gaza Strip’s war would escalate into wider regional conflict.
According to a high-level security official in Lebanon, Saleh al-Aruri and his bodyguards were killed in an Israeli strike, after the movement’s shocking October 7 strikes. A second security official verified the allegation, and Hamas TV also reported that Israel killed Aruri in Lebanon.
Daniel Hagari, Israel’s army spokesman did not directly comment on the killing but later stated that the military was in a very high state of readiness in all arenas, in defence and offense. We are highly prepared for any scenario.
During the war, Israel had previously confirmed the killings of Hamas commanders and officials in Gaza, but Aruri is the most high-profile individual to be killed, and his death occurred in the first strike on the Lebanese capital since hostilities began.
The strike fuels widespread fears that the nearly three-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict would escalate into a large regional conflict.
Hamas stated Aruri’s assassination would not lead to its loss, but Hezbollah, its Lebanon-based ally, said the killing would not go unpunished, calling it a serious assault on Lebanon… and a dangerous development.
Najib Mikati, Lebanese Prime Minister condemned the assassination, saying it aims to draw Lebanon further into the war.
Israel accuses Aruri, who lived in exile, of masterminding numerous strikes.
After his death, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh declared that a movement whose leaders fall as martyrs for the dignity of our people and our nation will never be defeated.
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