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December 27, 2023 - Mourners carry the coffin of a woman who was killed together with a Hezbollah fighter in an Israeli bombardment the previous night in southern Lebanon. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, a senior Hamas leader named Saleh al-Arouri was killed by what experts believe to be guided missiles via drone strikes in Beirut. The assassination of al-Arouri occurred deep inside of Lebanon's "forbidden soil," near Hezbollah headquarters. So it appears to mark yet another escalation and expansion of the Israel-Hamas War.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia organization is an ally of Hamas, also backed by Iran. All three entities adhere to Shia Muslim traditions. Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, publicly warned Israel several weeks ago about trying to kill Hamas leaders in Lebanon. He threatened a strong response if that happened.
Now that it happened, Christians are observing to see what the response will be. We are looking for signs of WWIII breaking out, because it could be the war that leads to the return of Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.
Mr. al-Arouri was killed in the Dahyeh district in southern Beirut - Lebanon's capital city.
Lebanon's Prime minister, Najib Mikati said, in the aftermath of al-Arouri's death, that Israel "aims to draw Lebanon" into the ongoing war. Beirut-based Hezbollah has already, recently, been engaged in fighting with Israel's Defense Force near the neighbor nations' land border.
During a December 2023 meeting with British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, in Beirut, Mikati said, "The continuation of Israeli provocations in southern Lebanon could lead to a deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of an all-out war in the region."
As of this writing Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for al-Arouri's assassination. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to neutralize Hamas leaders around the world.
Some nations, such as Turkey, have warned the Israelis that harming Hamas members outside of Israel could lead to consequences and repercussions.
To add to the international intrigue, Israel has staunch allies in the US and the UK, who are contemplating escalation attacks in Yemen.
Iran-backed Houthi pirates fired on US Navy helicopters last weekend. US Central Command announced, on Sunday, that 10 Houthi fighters were killed.
The Houthis now control much of Yemen after overthrowing the government in a civil war that began in 2014. Yemen's government forces are supported by Saudi Arabia, Iran's regional rival.
The Houthis are allies with Hamas.
Mr. al-Arouri was Hamas' political bureau's deputy chairman and the commander of the terrorist-designated organization's military wing in the West Bank, aka Judea and Samaria.
He was killed, along with at least five others in the missile attack Sunday night.
His death represents the highest-ranking Hamas leader killed since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel that sparked the war.
Israel's Defense Force has recently been searching for Hamas' senior leader, Yahya Sinwar, in the Gaza Strip. They reportedly blame him for masterminding the Oct. 7 attacks. So, he is likely Israel's most urgent target of the war.
Al-Arouri was on the list of top targets as well. Israeli officials blamed him for ordering the terrorist attacks, against West Bank settlers, that have occurred over the last year.
The IDF is currently in the midst of a major attack against the terrorists in Gaza. The Israelis have released videos depicting the surrender of hundreds of Hamas fighters. Several of the terrorist's tunnels have also been infiltrated and destroyed by the the IDF.
While Israel has declined to comment, so far, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Lebanese government cite an IDF weapons as the killing apparatus that neutralized al-Arouri.
If Israel is behind the attack, then the deep Middle East conflict just grew even deeper.
Christian Commander is following this ongoing story. Please check back for updates.
very interesting and informative article.