In a major development, leaders of Iran, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) convened their first official meeting in the capital city of Lebanon. This historic gathering in Beirut included Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas deputy-commander Saleh al-Arouri, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad Nakhalah.
The Iranian media shared photographs of the meeting, which took place 19 days after the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East. According to reports from Iranian media, the three prominent figures in the world of terror organisations have reached an agreement to enhance their daily coordination. Their discussions primarily centered around strategies to achieve a perceived “victory” over Israel.
Saleh al-Arouri, a key figure within Hamas, has previously been linked to the 2014 kidnapping and murder of three Israelis, an incident that triggered a 50-day war. He has maintained a frequent presence in various countries, including Qatar, Turkey, and Lebanon.
Ever since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, a key question has been looming whether Lebanon’s heavily armed militia will join the conflict. The answer could well determine the direction of a battle that is bound to reshape the Middle East. Barring a few rocket launches, Hezbollah has so far been on the fence about joining the fighting between Israel and the Gaza Strip’s Islamic militant rulers.
This latest high-stakes meeting underscores Iran’s explicit support for Hamas and suggests a substantial level of logistical backing for the organization. Iran has been actively constructing an “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition preparing for a more extensive conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Recent events, such as the Iran-backed Houthi missile and drone attack on Israel in Yemen on October 18, indicate Iran’s efforts to encourage its proxies to target Israel from multiple fronts.
The attack was successfully intercepted by a U.S. warship in the Red Sea, highlighting the escalating tensions and confrontations in the region. This high-level meeting reflects Iran’s unwavering support for Hamas and its broader ambitions in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.