Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, believed by Israel to be chief mastermind of the October 7, 2023, terror attack that set off the current war in Gaza, was killed by Israeli forces.
Many global leaders in the West expressed hope that his death signals the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza and could provide an opportunity for the release of the more than 100 hostages still being held by Hamas.
More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s military operation in Gaza began and nearly all of the strip’s 2.2 million residents are displaced amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis.
Visuals released by IDF
Here’s a look at international reaction:
US President Joe Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israel Defense Forces for carrying out “excellent work,” according to a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office. Biden said the killing of the militant leader,was a “good day of Israel, for the United States and for the world,” according to a White House statement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Sinwar “the mastermind behind the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust” and said the UK “will not mourn his death.” He added: “Today my thoughts are with the families of those victims.”
French Prime Minister Emannuel Macron said “Yahya Sinwar was the main person responsible for the terrorist attacks and barbaric acts of October 7th. Today, I think with emotion of the victims, including 48 of our compatriots, and their loved ones. France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “Sinwar’s death ends a reign of terror.” He added Hamas “must lay down its arms, release the hostages, and play no future role in the governance of Gaza,” and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering in Gaza.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said “Sinwar was a brutal murderer and terrorist, who wanted to destroy Israel and its people.” She added Hamas must immediately release all hostages and lay down its weapons, saying “the suffering of the people in Gaza must finally end.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said “I am convinced that a new phase must now begin: it is time for all hostages to be released, for an immediate ceasefire to be declared and for reconstruction to begin in Gaza.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said “Sinwar was the leader of a terrorist organization, the terrorist organization of Hamas. And he was basically the mastermind behind the 7th of October with the killings, the massacres, the rapes and the kidnapping. So his death is certainly significantly weakening Hamas.”
European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said “[Sinwar] was an obstacle to an urgently needed ceasefire &the unconditional release of all hostages.” He added, “There must be an end to violence, liberation of hostages & stop to the suffering of Palestinians.”
