Dahieh Shocked by Strike Resulting in Death of Hamas’ Second-in-Command

In a southern suburb of Beirut, a recent strike presumed to be Israeli in origin has left a gaping hole in a building and strewn debris across the street. This attack resulted in the death of the deputy leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The aftermath of the drone strike, which killed Saleh al-Arouri, was evident the following day. Hezbollah’s armed members were seen securing the area. Locals expressed shock upon discovering that a secretive Hamas office was operating in their neighborhood, hidden within an unassuming three-story building amidst everyday shops.

While Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the attack, both Hamas – known for the October 7 attack that ignited the Gaza war – and Lebanese officials are convinced of Israel’s involvement. This strike led to the deaths of Arouri and six other Hamas operatives.

The southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, are densely