Hamas froze talks for a second deal to release additional hostages held in Gaza after Israel assassinated deputy Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, according to the Al Arabiya news outlet.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the assassination was a “terrorist act,” a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and an expansion of Israel’s hostility against Palestinians.
Before the assassination, Israel had been hopeful that Hamas had slightly softened its stance and that a middle ground could be found that would allow for a deal to move forward to secure the release of some of the 129 captives remaining in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday with representatives for the hostage families. In a statement after the meeting, he said, “The effort [for a deal] is continuing. The contacts are being held; they have not been cut off.
“There was an ultimatum from Hamas; now it has been softened. These contacts are being held now,” Netanyahu said.
The assassination also distracted Israel from focusing on conversations regarding plans for the day after Hamas is eliminated and reportedly caused US Secretary Antony Blinken to push off until next week his trip to Israel.
Blinken speaks about Middle East threats
Earlier in the day, Blinken spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron about Middle East threats and other issues, including delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the importance of combating the Houthi threat against Red Sea shipping routes. They spoke of a “shared interest in upholding freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller wrote on X.
.@SecBlinken spoke with UK Foreign Secretary @David_Cameron about improving humanitarian aid delivery to civilians in Gaza, our shared interest in upholding freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea, and our work to help Ukraine prevail.
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) January 2, 2024
Cameron stated on X that, in the conversation, they condemned “the illegal attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea” and agreed to “hold them accountable.”
.@SecBlinken and I are clear – the UK and the US condemn the illegal attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea and will hold them accountable.We spoke today on this and other issues, including the urgent need for significantly more aid to reach Gaza and our continued support for…
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 2, 2024
“We spoke today on this and other issues, including the urgent need for significantly more aid to reach Gaza,” Cameron said.
Both men said they also discussed their countries’ continued support for Ukraine.
Reuters contributed to this report.