 "Hamas leader Al-Arouri killing could affect 'complicated' hostage negotiations but we are not giving up, says Qatari PM")
The recent killing of a high-ranking Hamas leader may have repercussions on the ongoing negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages held by the militant group in Gaza, according to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. As per a CNN report, Israel conducted the strike last Tuesday in Beirut, resulting in the death of senior Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri. Israel, however, did not officially claim responsibility for the operation. During a joint press conference in Doha on Sunday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Al-Thani was questioned about the potential impact of Arouri’s death on talks regarding the release of over 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza since the attacks on 7 October . “Of course, having one of the senior leaders of Hamas being killed is something that can affect such a complicated process,” said Al-Thani responding to the question. Al-Thani added that Qatar has played a central role in mediating hostage negotiations and despite the challenges, the negotiation process is continuing, “We are not giving up; we are moving forward. We are continuing our discussions with the parties and trying to achieve as soon as possible an agreement that can bring assistance for humanitarian relief and the release of the hostages,” he added.
Hamas said last Tuesday that one of its senior leaders has been killed in an attack in the south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, raising fears of a potential escalation in fighting in the region.
Hamas media outlet Al Aqsa TV said Saleh Al-Arouri, deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas, was “martyred in a treacherous Zionist airstrike in Beirut.”
Arouri was considered one of the founding members of the group’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and was based in Beirut. Two other leaders from Hamas’ military wing, Samir Findi Abu Amer and Azzam Al-Aqraa Abu Ammar, were also among those killed in the strike, according to Hamas officials.
At least four people were killed in the attack that targeted an office belonging to Hamas in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh, Lebanese news agency NNA reported. The area is also a stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment when asked about the announcement and its spokesperson Daniel Hagari skirted a question from a reporter on Tuesday about the matter saying “we are focused on fighting against Hamas.”
With inputs from agencies