Hamas announced the appointment of Saleh al-Arouri as deputy head of its political bureau Oct. 9. During a recent meeting of Hamas’ Shura Council, which included representatives from the West Bank, Gaza and outside Palestine, the movement wished him success and expressed its pride in his jihadi past. The date and the place of the meeting, along with the identities of attendees, were not made public.

Arouri's appointment is the last chapter in an internal reshuffling of Hamas this year. The process began in February, with the selection of Yahya al-Sinwar as the movement's leader in Gaza. In May, the organization selected Ismail Haniyeh to head the political bureau from Gaza. For the past 20 years, the movement’s organizational authority has been based abroad, but this year's elections are remarkable for the elevation of local leaders.

Hassan Yusuf, a senior Hamas leader in the West Bank, told Al-Monitor, “Arouri is a one-of-a-kind figure with a military background. He served several terms in Israeli jails, for 15 years. Hamas leaders testify to his sagacity, and consider that his involvement as deputy head of the movement will give the Palestinian internal scene more importance.”

Yusuf added, “It is remarkable that Hamas elected Haniyeh, from Gaza, as its leader, and Arouri, from the West Bank, as its deputy head. This means that the election of Arouri is restoring the significance of the occupied territories, in particular the West Bank, where the real conflict with the Israeli occupation happens.” Arouri, who hails from Ramallah, has a strong personal network on the West Bank.