International concern caused by the death of the deputy leader of the political arm of Hamas Saleh al-Aruri in Lebanon.

Israel is awaiting a response to the assassination of a top Hamas official, according to Jewish media reports. The death of al-Aruri was confirmed by Hamas itself, while a US Pentagon official stated that the Israeli army killed al-Aruri. Tehran warned that the killing of the senior Hamas official would further fuel resistance against Israel.

The Walla news website and Channel 13 report that Israel expects retaliation, including the possible launch of long-range rockets into Israeli territory.

Nasrallah had warned Jerusalem

In the context of the alleged killing of al-Aruri by Israel in Lebanon earlier this Tuesday afternoon, an excerpt from an August speech given by the Hezbollah leader has resurfaced Hassan Nasrallah.

“Any killing on Lebanese soil against a Lebanese Syrian, Iranian or Palestinian will be met with a decisive response. We will not tolerate this and we will not allow Lebanon to become a new killing field for Israel,” said a Hezbollah leader.

Yes, Nasrallah has scheduled to give a speech on Lebanese public television tomorrow.

Saleh al-Aruri

UN appeal for restraint

UN Secretary-General’s spokeswoman Florencia Soto Nino was asked by Al Jazeera’s diplomatic correspondent whether the attack on al-Aruri was a violation of the UN Charter if carried out by Israel and whether Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack.

He chose to dodge the question, saying he “didn’t want to speculate.” However, he added that the UN chief had called for “maximum restraint”.

“I think our message to everyone… is the same: Due to the escalation of tensions and the fragility of the situation in the region, we ask for maximum restraint from all parties. We do not desire hasty actions which could provoke further violence,” Soto Nino said.

Beirut