An Israeli drone attacked a Hamas office in the al-Musharafiya neighborhood, in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiya. The explosion in the building killed at least 6 people, Reuters reports, citing the Lebanese State News Agency.
One of the Hamas leaders, deputy head of the organization's political bureau Saleh al-Aruri, was killed, reports the Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar, affiliated with Hezbollah.
Another Lebanese TV channel affiliated with Hezbollah, Al Mayadeen, also confirmed the death of al-Aruri. According to the channel, a total of six people were killed in the attack.
Lebanon has accused Israel of trying to ignite a conflict in the entire Middle East after the attack. Israel has not commented on the incident. World leaders reacted differently to the situation.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the murder in Beirut could lead to an even greater escalation in the region. He discussed the situation in a telephone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
The United States believes that a single action will not exacerbate the already tense situation between Israel and Lebanon, provoked by Hezbollah's activation on Israel's northern borders after the events of October 7.
Saleh al-Arouri became the highest-ranking Hamas member killed after the group's attack on Israel on October 7.
Lebanon's Prime Minister accused Israel of committing a crime on the territory of another country and of trying to drag the region into a new phase of conflict.
Israel never confirms or denies its involvement in such actions, but often points to it a lot.
An Israeli spokesman said that the event should be seen as a "surgical operation" and not an attack on the state of Lebanon.
Hezbollah leaders warned that they would not leave it unanswered.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib told the BBC that the government is in talks with Hezbollah, asking the group to refrain from retaliatory actions.
According to him, it will become clear within 24 hours what decision Hezbollah will make.
"We are very concerned, the Lebanese do not want to be involved, even Hezbollah does not want to be involved in a regional conflict," Bu Habib said.
He called on the West to influence Israel.
The Israeli military command says it is ready for any further scenarios. In particular, the IDF has significantly expanded its air defense forces on Israel's northern borders in case Hezbollah uses the long-range missiles in the group's arsenal.
Background. As reported, more than 100 people were killed in Iran due to explosions during a ceremony at the grave of General Soleimani.