Israel Eliminates Hamas Leader Sinwar... Biden Says "Obstacle to Peace Removed"

Biden "Discusses Hostage Release and Ceasefire Proposal with Netanyahu"

Israel announced on the 17th (local time) that it had eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the top political leader of the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, which launched a surprise attack on Israel last October. U.S. President Joe Biden said that with Sinwar's death, an insurmountable obstacle has been removed, and that he will discuss with Israel the release of hostages and a ceasefire plan.

Yahiya Shinwar Photo by Yonhap News

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that "after a year of tracking by Israel and Shin Bet (the domestic intelligence agency), soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar in the southern Gaza Strip on the previous day (16th)."

The IDF identified Sinwar through DNA testing of three Hamas operatives killed in southern Gaza the day before. Sinwar was the mastermind and leader of Hamas's invasion of Israel on October 7 last year and was the top target for elimination by the Israeli military.

Israeli Foreign Minister Katz also stated in a press release, "Yahya Sinwar, a mass murderer responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7 last year, was killed by the Israeli military."

Following Israel's declaration to eradicate Hamas, the elimination of Sinwar after the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, last July is expected to deal a significant blow to Hamas's organizational operations and governance capabilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said to Hamas, "Now is the time to come out, release the hostages, and surrender."

Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has led governance in the West Bank, convened an emergency meeting following the news of Sinwar's death.

President Biden said that Sinwar's death is a moment of relief for Israelis and an opportunity to usher in the "next day" in Gaza without armed groups in power.

He stated, "Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all objectives, but he no longer exists," adding, "I congratulate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, and we will discuss ways to bring the hostages back to their families and homes, and to end this war that has caused tremendous harm to innocent people."

The White House also welcomed the removal of the obstacle to peace by labeling Sinwar a "terrorist."

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, said during a briefing on President Biden's flight to Germany that Sinwar was "a murderous terrorist responsible for the worst Jewish massacre since the Holocaust," and "his hands are stained with the blood of Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. The world is better off with his death." He emphasized, "Sinwar was a huge obstacle to peace, and now that obstacle has been removed."

Meanwhile, Iran warned of a strong response, saying "the spirit of resistance will intensify." Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, expressed this stance regarding Sinwar's killing on the same day.