Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed on Thursday that Israel has eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas, the terrorist mastermind behind the attack on Israel on October 7th last year. Following the statement, leaders from various countries have responded.
Below are the responses from the international community:
Joe Biden, in a statement released by the White House, said, “DNA tests have confirmed Sinwar’s death. This is a good day for Israel, the United States, and the world.”
“As the leader of the terrorist organization Hamas, Sinwar is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over thirty countries,” Biden continued. “He was the mastermind behind the massacre, rape, and abduction on October 7th.”
Biden pointed out, “Israel has every right to eliminate Hamas’ leadership and military structure. Hamas no longer has the capability to carry out another ‘October 7th’ operation.”
“There is now an opportunity for a ‘new day’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, as well as a chance to achieve a political solution, providing a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable barrier to achieving all these goals. This barrier no longer exists. However, we still have much work to do,” Biden concluded.
“Yahya Sinwar was the main perpetrator of the terrorist attack on October 7th. Today, with great emotion, we remember the victims, including 48 of our compatriots, and think of their families. France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.”
“Sinwar was a ruthless murderer and terrorist who sought to destroy Israel and its people. As the mastermind of the October 7th terrorist attack, he brought death to thousands and immeasurable suffering to the entire region. Hamas must now release all hostages and lay down their arms; the suffering of the people of Gaza must come to an end.”
Before the confirmation of Sinwar’s death, Tahaney had already responded, stating, “The military leader of Hamas appears to have been eliminated, and from this perspective, Israel may have acted in self-defense against Hamas terrorists.”
“I hope the disappearance of Hamas leaders will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza,” he added.
“For me, I will not mourn the death of a terrorist leader like Sinwar, who was responsible for the terrorist attack on October 7th. Like the British government, I realize that it not only marked the darkest and deadliest day for the Jewish people since World War II but also resulted in over a year of conflict and intolerable casualties among Palestinian civilians.”
Schumer expressed earlier on Thursday, “Sinwar brought so much pain to the people of Israel and Palestine through his beliefs and actions; I pray that his demise will pave the way for the immediate return of all hostages, including the 7 Americans, and negotiations to end hostilities, ensuring the safety of the Israeli people and providing ample humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, offering a new path forward.”
The Republican leader in the U.S. Congress urged President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to enhance cooperation with Israel.
He said, “With the bloodthirsty leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah now both deceased, the Biden-Harris administration must now work hand in hand with Israel to exert maximum pressure on the serpent head, Iran.”
“While the Biden-Harris administration may condemn Prime Minister Netanyahu’s strategy, he has secured multiple watershed victories for Israel, leading us towards a new day of security and freedom in the Middle East. We must not let this moment go to waste.”
“Our Israel Defense Forces have eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7th massacre. Many at the UN Security Council questioned why we are still in Gaza a year after the atrocity on October 7th. Today, they have their answer. Not a single terrorist can evade the long arm of the IDF. We will not stop until we bring all our hostages home and eradicate the Hamas monsters.”
(This article referenced reporting from Reuters)