Benjamin Netanyahu suggests possible exile of Hamas leadership from Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly hinted at the potential exile of Hamas' leadership from Gaza during a meeting with the relatives of hostages held in the enclave. Netanyahu discussed the "possibility" of exiling key Hamas officials, including Gaza's ruler Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif, head of the Izz ad Din al Qassam Brigades.

The remarks come amid rising tensions following the death of Hamas's deputy leader, Saleh al Arouri, in an airstrike in Lebanon, sparking concerns of an escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict.Lebanon’s caretaker premier blamed Israel saying that the attack was meant to “drag Lebanon into a new phase of confrontation" while Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said that Israeli drone struck the apartment building housing a Hamas office in Beirut’s southern suburbs. In the attack, six people included Saleh Arouri were killed.

Saleh Arouri is the most senior Hamas leader killed since the group attacked Israel on October 7 and killed almost 1,200 people. Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip has so far killed more than 22,000 Palestinians. Israel arrested Saleh Arouri in 1992 and sentenced him for 15 years in prison. He was released in 2007. Later he was detained for three more years before Israel eventually exiled him in 2010.