Arouri had long been in Israel's sights, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even issuing threats against him prior to Hamas' recent attack on Israel.

Arouri, 57, was accused by Israel of masterminding attacks against them in the West Bank, where he held the position of top commander for Hamas. In 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated him as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and offered a reward of $5 million for information regarding his whereabouts.

The drone strike that killed Arouri also resulted in the deaths of six other Hamas members, two of whom were military commanders. The attack targeted a specific floor in an apartment building located in a heavily populated area of Beirut's southern suburbs.

While Israeli officials declined to comment on their involvement in the strike, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency attributed the attack to an Israeli drone. If confirmed, this would mark the first Israeli attack on Beirut since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The killing of Arouri in such a high-profile location could potentially escalate the conflict in Lebanon. Prior to this incident, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had warned Israel against targeting any Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian, or Iranian officials in Lebanon, promising "harsh retaliation" by his group.

In response to Arouri's death, Hezbollah issued a statement condemning the attack as a serious violation of Lebanon's security, sovereignty, and resistance. Nasrallah is expected to address the incident on the anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, further escalating tensions in the region.

Iran, a strong ally to Hamas, also condemned the killing of Arouri. Iranian media reported that the country's foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, referred to it as a sign of Israel's "heavy defeat" before Palestinian militant groups in the recent war in Gaza.

Arouri's death marks a significant blow to Hamas and their efforts in the Palestinian territories. Born in the occupied West Bank, he joined Hamas and eventually went into exile, seeking support from countries such as Syria and Turkey. Arouri's presence in Beirut had helped to align Hamas with the Hezbollah-led "Axis of Resistance" and played a key role in the group's reconciliation with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

As investigations into the drone strike continue, the killing of Saleh Arouri represents a major development in the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas, and their regional allies. The repercussions of this targeted attack could have far-reaching implications for the stability of the region and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.