After Arouri's assassination Hamas and Hezbollah vow revenge

Following the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri in an apparent Israeli drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday evening, the Hamas terror organization has promised revenge, and stated that “all options are open.” 

“This is an act of terror, the occupation will bear responsibility for the consequences of the assassination,” said Hamas General Ismail Haniyeh, who is considered another prime target for Israel. 

"A movement whose leaders and founders fall as martyrs for the dignity of our people and our nation will never be defeated,” Haniyeh added.

In Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank, a general strike was proclaimed in protest of Arouri’s assassination. All schools and public institutions were reported to be closed to mourn Arouri’s death, and many shops were expected to remain closed as well. 

In response to the assassination, Hamas spokesman Izzat al-Risheq made a statement: "The cowardly assassinations carried out by the Zionist occupation against the leaders and symbols of our Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine will not succeed in breaking the will and steadfastness of our people or undermine the continuation of its courageous resistance." 

On Tuesday night after the assassination was announced, there were large protests calling for revenge in Ramallah, Arouri's hometown.

Five other Hamas members were killed in the drone strike in Beirut. 

Both the Hezbollah terror organization and the Republic of Iran have promised to retaliate in response to the assassination of Arouri, who played a key role in talks between Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.

Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, an affiliate of Hezbollah, ran a cover story about Arouri, accusing Israel of his assassination.

“Hours before Hezbollah marked the anniversary of the assassination of former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, Israel decided to violate the rules of confrontation with Lebanon, crossed the red line set by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah several months ago and assassinated Saleh al-Aruri in an airstrike in Beirut's Dahiya quarter.” 

Hezbollah called the assassination “a heinous crime” that “will undoubtedly not go unanswered or unpunished.” 

Arouri was expected to take part in negotiations for a new hostage release deal. According to reports, he was scheduled to meet with mediators next week.

Hamas announced the suspension of negotiations following Arouri’s death. 

On Wednesday morning, Egypt announced that it was ending mediation between Israel and Hamas following Arouri's death.