Hamas halts negotiations

The Palestinian source noted that Hamas had conveyed its decision to freeze negotiations to the mediators without specifying names.

Shortly before Al-Arouri was killed, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh had stated that Hamas had responded positively to the proposals presented by Egypt and Qatar regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and had conveyed their vision on the matter to them.

Following the killing of Al-Arouri, Hamas and other Palestinian groups issued statements declaring that the resistance could not be intimidated.

Before October 7, when Israel began its attacks on Gaza, Israeli officials and media had accused Al-Arouri of planning operations against settlers and Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and had called for his assassination.

Israeli forces bombed Al-Arouri's home in the town of Arura, near the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on October 31.

"A CRIME EXPECTED FROM ISRAEL"

Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Government Media Office in Gaza, made a statement following the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in an Israeli drone strike in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Al-Thawabta said the assassination of Al-Arouri was "a crime expected from Israel."

Emphasizing that Al-Arouri was a symbolic figure serving the Palestinian cause, Al-Thawabta stated, "We were expecting Al-Arouri to attain martyrdom because this is what befits him and his sacrifices."

Al-Thawabta underscored that "the Palestinian resistance will continue despite the assassinations and will never stop until the Israeli occupation is completely eliminated."

WHO IS SALEH AL-AROURI?

Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Saleh al-Arouri was born in Ramallah on August 19, 1966.

Al-Arouri, who contributed to the establishment of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was deported after spending 15 years in Israeli prisons and began living in Lebanon.

Al-Arouri was among the negotiators of the deal Hamas made with Israel on October 11, 2011, for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier.

THE LATEST SITUATION IN GAZA

Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, launched a comprehensive attack on Israel on October 7, citing "the need to respond to the continuous violations against Palestinians and sacred values, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Israel announced that 1,200 Israelis were killed and 5,132 people were injured in the October 7 attacks.

In Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, 22,185 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 9,100 children and 6,500 women. While it is reported that there are thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where the public has taken shelter.

The Israeli army announced that 508 of its soldiers have been killed since October 7, when its attacks on the Gaza Strip began, 174 of whom were killed during the ground invasion process.

During the "humanitarian pause" in the clashes, which was granted for 4 days on November 24 and later extended for another 3 days, 81 Israeli and 240 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange. On the other hand, Israel continued to detain and imprison thousands of Palestinians.

In the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, 323 Palestinians have lost their lives in attacks by Israeli forces and illegal Jewish settlers.

In the clashes that have been ongoing at the border between the Israeli army and Hezbollah since October 8, 28 Lebanese civilians, 138 Hezbollah members, 5 Israeli civilians, and 9 Israeli soldiers have been killed.

News Source: AA