Israel Destroys Hamas Deputy Leader’s Home in Counterterrorism Operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a targeted operation overnight on Monday, demolishing the home of Saleh al-Arouri, a senior Hamas official, in the town of ‘Arura near Ramallah. The IDF released footage of the controlled blast on social media, showcasing their anti-terror efforts.
Major General Yehuda Fox, the head of IDF Central Command, signed the demolition order on October 27. It remains unclear whether anyone was residing in the premises at the time of the operation.
Al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, resides in Lebanon and is considered the de facto leader of Hamas’s military wing in the West Bank. His home was targeted as part of Israel’s ongoing mission to dismantle and neutralize Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure.
Following the demolition, an IDF banner discovered amidst the rubble depicted a combination of the Hamas and the Islamic State (IS) group flags, accompanied by the Arabic slogan Hamas=IS. The intention behind this visual representation was to emphasize Israel’s message that Hamas and IS are essentially the same, highlighting the similarities in their extremist ideologies and brutal tactics.
The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas was initially triggered by a devastating attack on October 7, when around 2,500 Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip via multiple means, including land, air, and sea. This attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, including innocent civilians of all ages, and the abduction of around 230 hostages. Furthermore, numerous rockets were indiscriminately launched at Israeli towns and cities during this onslaught.
The majority of those killed were noncombatants, including defenseless babies, children, and elderly individuals. Hamas militants mercilessly targeted and massacred innocent families within their homes, while over 260 people were brutally slaughtered during an outdoor festival.
Amid the ongoing conflict, al-Arouri, aged 57, has been actively vocal, making statements and giving media interviews where he denies Hamas’s deliberate targeting of civilians, despite overwhelming evidence proving the opposite. Israeli security forces already occupied al-Arouri’s residence a week and a half ago, according to Palestinian sources, essentially transforming it into a military installation.
Before the residence’s demolition, a banner featuring al-Arouri himself against the backdrop of the Israeli flag was hung on the building, with the Arabic slogan stating, This was the home of Saleh al-Arouri, now the headquarters of Abu-Nimer, the Israeli Shin Bet. This move served as a symbolic representation of Israel’s determination to neutralize the terrorist threat and uphold its security interests.
Israeli intelligence officials believe that al-Arouri played a significant role in planning the abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers in June 2014, along with multiple other terrorist attacks. He has previously served prison terms in Israel and was released as part of a prisoner exchange in 2010. Following his release, he actively participated in brokering the deal that secured the freedom of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of IDF corporal Gilad Shalit, who had been kidnapped by Hamas in 2006.
After temporarily relocating to Istanbul, al-Arouri later moved to Syria before eventually settling in Beirut, Lebanon. From Beirut, he oversees and coordinates Hamas’s military operations in the West Bank, including funding and directing terrorist activities. Additionally, al-Arouri maintains close connections with Iran and the Hezbollah terror group.
While in Lebanon, al-Arouri has established a local Hamas force comprised of activists residing in Lebanese refugee camps. This group receives military training and possesses a limited rocket arsenal, albeit not on the same scale as Hezbollah’s.
Various attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border, as well as rocket firings directed at northern Israel since October 7, have been claimed by Palestinian terror groups, including Hamas.
Last week, al-Arouri met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Ziad al-Nakhaleh, the leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The three leaders discussed the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and reached an agreement to coordinate their efforts.
In 2018, the United States offered a $5 million reward for information on al-Arouri’s whereabouts, citing his responsibility for multiple acts of terrorism. It is essential to note that one of the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped and murdered by Hamas in 2014, Naftali Fraenkel, held dual US-Israeli citizenship.
The demolition of Saleh al-Arouri’s home represents a significant blow to Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure. Israel remains resolute in its determination to counter the threat posed by Hamas and ensure the safety of its citizens.
