Israel preparing for Hezbollah to fire ballistic missiles in response to Beirut strike: Report

Israel is preparing for the firing of long range ballistic missiles by Hezbollah in response to the assassination of Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri, according to Axios.

Arouri was assassinated on Tuesday in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold where the group maintains its headquarters.

Lebanese acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack and called it "an Israeli crime" that was designed to draw Lebanon into the war in Gaza.

Lebanese media said Arouri was killed in an Israeli drone strike.

Israel did not immediately comment on the killing. It usually refuses to deny or confirm military action abroad.