Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli drone strike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on January 2. According to Lebanese media reports on the 2nd, Israeli drones attacked the office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the southern suburbs of Beirut on the same day, resulting in the death of six people, including Saleh Aluri, deputy chairman of the Hamas Politburo. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Bilal Javisi)
Beirut, January 2 (Xinhua) -- According to Lebanese media reports on January 2, Israeli drones attacked the office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, on the same day, resulting in the death of six people, including Saleh Aluri, deputy chairman of the Hamas Politburo.
The Lebanese state news agency reported that local residents heard a loud explosion during the airstrike, which killed six people, including Aruri, and injured many others, and the injured were taken to local hospitals. Two leaders of Hamas-affiliated armed wing Qassam Brigades were also killed in airstrikes, according to Lebanese Allah-owned Lighthouse TV.
Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli drone strike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on January 2. According to Lebanese media reports on the 2nd, Israeli drones attacked the office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the southern suburbs of Beirut on the same day, resulting in the death of six people, including Saleh Aluri, deputy chairman of the Hamas Politburo. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Bilal Javisi)
Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati condemned the attack on the same day and called on the international community to "put an end to Israel's acts of aggression." He said that this is "a new crime committed by Israel" and that its purpose is to bring Lebanon into a new phase of confrontation.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, a Hamas source said that Aluri and his aides were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Hamas has notified brokers such as Qatar and Egypt to freeze "any negotiations" with Israel.
People gather at the site of an Israeli drone strike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on January 2. According to Lebanese media reports on the 2nd, Israeli drones attacked the office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the southern suburbs of Beirut on the same day, resulting in the death of six people, including Saleh Aluri, deputy chairman of the Hamas Politburo. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Bilal Javisi)
Izat Rishke, a member of the Hamas Politburo, issued a statement on the same day condemning Israel's assassination of Aruri as a "cowardly act." Hamas said in a statement on social media that the assassination of Arururi would not weaken the "resistance."
After the incident, the Israeli government and military did not comment directly on the airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. However, Israeli military spokesman Hagari said in an interview with the media that Israel will continue to attack Hamas and be ready to respond to any situation. (Participating reporters: Liu Weijian, Wang Zhuolun)