On the evening of January 2, 2024, the Zionist regime assassinated the Deputy Chief of Hamas’ Political Bureau Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri, in Beirut Southern Suburb, Lebanon.
The chilling news of theleader’s martyrdom came after a series of Zionist threats, which reached their peak in August 2023. Zionist officials resented al-Arouri’s direct years-long role in building up the capabilities of the Palestinian Resistance in the West Bank, which highlighted the fragility of the occupations security.
Building up West Bank Resistance
The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, mourned one of its most devout leaders, who endured 15+ years of imprisonment and an eventual Zionist-imposed exile, which saw him transferring between Malaysia, Turkey, and Lebanon.
A statement released by Hamas following the news of al-Arouri’s assassination highlighted his leading political and military role both in the West Bank and Gaza. In fact, al-Arouri, born on August 19, 1966, played an integral role in setting up Hamas’ military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, in the West Bank.
The leader’s original birth name is Saleh Mohammad Suleiman Khaseeb. Nonetheless, akin to fellow families in the region, his unique distinction as “al-Arouri” is derived from his roots in the small town of Arura within the Ramallah district. This connection is precisely why he is recognized today as al-Arouri, which is interpreted as an individual descending from the town of Arura, in Arabic.
The martyr’s roots in his town shaped his political career, in which he diligently and relentlessly worked to snatch the rights of his people from the hands of the occupiers. Al-Arouri deliberately embraced the legacy of past martyrs, aligning himself with the image of revolutionaries unyielding in the face of the criminal regime.
Al-Arouri’s greatest accolades
Al-Arouri did not only contribute to the organization of Resistance cells in the West Bank and other fronts, but he also led negotiations for prisoner exchange deals that the Resistance imposed on the occupation.
He headed Hamas’ negotiating team in charge of completing the prisoner exchange deal in 2011 with the occupation, mediated by Egypt. Hamas dubbed the operation “Faithful to the Free” (Wafaa Al-Ahrar). Under the deal, Gilad Shalit, a Zionist soldier who was held captive by Hamas, was released in exchange for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners from occupation prisons, including the current leader of Hamas, Yahya al-Sinwar, among other prominent Palestinian figures.
On October 9, 2017, al-Arouri was elected as Deputy Head of Hamas’ Political Bureau. One year later, the United States enlisted him under its infamous “terrorist list”, and in 2021, he became the head of the Hamas movement in the West Bank.
Resistance Organizations Mourn
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement mourned leader Saleh al-Arouri and his fellow martyrs.
The Resistance group emphasized that the assassination aims to expand the struggle and drag the entire region into war so that the Zionist can cover up their military failure in the Gaza Strip and the political impasse faced by the Zionist government.
The crime also comes after the failed Zionst attempts to impose its conditions on the Palestinian people while the Resistance still has the upper hand politically and militarily.
PIJ’s spokesperson Musab al-Breim stated that leader al-Arouri spent his life on the battlefields of Resistance and was martyred on the path to al-Quds.
Al-Breim confirmed that his assassination is clear proof of his significant and strong role, as he was a source of concern for the Israeli entity. He added, “We will continue to be a source of concern for the Israeli entity and pave the way, through the choice of martyrdom, for its eradication from the heart of the nation.”
The spokesperson pointed out that the Resistance is growing stronger, evidently by carrying out Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and dealing a mighty blow to the occupation through it.
“The Resistance has become a genetic trait passed from one generation to another,” he added.
On the Resistance’s core strength, al-Breim noted that “al-Arouri spoke clearly about his convictions regarding the effectiveness of Resistance through uniting the battlefields.”
On his part, Ihsan Ataya, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, emphasized that the “Israeli” entity will pay a heavy price for its all crimes, including the assassination of leader al-Arouri.
The leadership of the Popular Resistance Committees affirmed that the heinous assassination crime of martyr al-Arouri and Resistance leaders will not weaken the resolve of the Resistance but will only “intensify it in Palestine and on all fronts confronting the Zionist enemy.”
“The policy of assassinations pursued by the Zionist enemy against the leaders of the Resistance has always proven its failure in undermining the determination of our people who aspire to liberate their land, no matter how great the sacrifices may be.”
The Committees also confirmed that the Resistance will “undoubtedly avenge the blood of Sheikh Saleh and every drop of blood shed by the sons of our people in this open confrontation with the defeated Zionist enemy.”
‘Zionist threats will not change my convictions’
The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also mourned the martyred senior Hamas official.
In a statement, Dr. Salem Atallah said, “The policy of assassinations will only make us more steadfast and committed to our path until we end the occupation of all of Palestine.”
“The enemy will pay a heavy price for this cowardly crime and for all the crimes it has committed against our people,” he added.
The martyred leader had previously discussed the increasing Zionist death threats against him. When asked about the issue, martyr al-Arouri said, “The ‘Israeli’ threat against me will not change my convictions, and it will not have an impact on the path [that I have chosen].”
Full statements below:
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, on behalf of its Secretary General, his deputy, its Political Bureau, and its Central Committee, mourns the martyrdom of the great national Qassami leader Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, the Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, along with a group of his martyr brothers in the treacherous zionist strike that targeted them in the southern suburb of Beirut this evening, Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The targeting of Al-Arouri and his brothers comes within the context of the feverish zionist attempts to achieve any field accomplishment to present to their public by the occupation government, after failing to confront the resistance in the field and in achieving any of the goals of the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip for nearly three months, despite the bloody massacres and genocide campaigns.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine bids farewell to the steadfast resistant martyr, known in all arenas of struggle and trenches of resistance. A leader keen on Palestinian patriotism, zealous for the unity of the people, the cause, and the resistance, he always held Palestine as the supreme goal above all, [easily] sacrificing his soul for its sake. His actions reflected the qualities of a personality that left a deep impact on everyone who knew him. He played a significant role in seeking common ground and actively participating in the field details of the aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and all over Palestine.
Our Palestinian people, all forces of resistance, the honorable of our nation, and the free people of the world today bid farewell to an exceptional leader known for his bravery, boldness, and unity, calling for the unification of ranks and unity of stance in defense of our people and their just cause. He had the honor of contributing effectively and playing a pivotal leadership role in enhancing and developing the capabilities of the resistance in various fields and arenas.
It is the greatness of the martyrdom embodied by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and its military wing (Martyr Izz El-Din Al-Qassam Brigades). Condolences are one to all his brothers in the movement, the martyr’s family, and the ones who love him, and with our people, with the highest expressions of pride and respect. We pledge to the martyr leader and all martyrs to continue the path of struggle and resistance until the full realization of the goals for which they ascended. The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain.
A promise that the enemy’s leaders, generals, and settlers will pay dearly for their crimes, and that the promise and vision of Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri will be fulfilled. The flags of victory will be raised over the entire soil of Palestine, from its river to its sea.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Central Media Department.
2/1/2024
Ansarallah
We extend our condolences to the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas on the martyrdom of the deputy head of the movement’s political bureau, Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri, following the cowardly “israeli” assassination that targeted him in Al-Dahye, southern Beirut.
We strongly condemn the assassination, which constitutes a treacherous aggression against Lebanon, and we affirm our support for the resistance movements in Palestine and Lebanon.
Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“And do not think of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.”The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades mourn with great pride and honor the martyr and national leader Saleh Al-Arouri, Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas.
We in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades affirm that the assassination of leaders will not deter us from our national duty to defend our people and only increases our determination to resist and liberate.
We promise the enemy a response to all their crimes against our people..
Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades – The military wing of the Fatah movement.
Tuesday, 20 Jumada Al-Thani 1445 AH / corresponding to 02/01/2024.