U.S. President Joe Biden declared on Thursday that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces marks a significant victory not only for Israel but also for the United States and the broader international community. Calling it a “good day,” Biden emphasized that Sinwar’s death presents a key opportunity to free the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and potentially bring an end to the prolonged Gaza conflict.
In a statement, Biden compared the elimination of Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, to the 2011 killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who orchestrated the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Biden underscored that Sinwar’s death reinforces a clear message: “No terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes.”
The president acknowledged that Sinwar’s removal could create a path toward a more hopeful future in Gaza, one where Hamas no longer holds power, and a political settlement could be reached that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians. Biden said he plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders in Israel to congratulate them on this critical military success and discuss the next steps toward bringing the hostages home and ending the war.
A New Opportunity for Hostage Negotiations
With Sinwar’s death, Biden sees a new opportunity to negotiate the release of the more than 250 Israeli hostages taken during the October 7 attack. Hamas has long refused to engage in meaningful negotiations for the hostages’ release, and Sinwar, known for his uncompromising stance, was seen as a major obstacle to any resolution. Now that he is no longer in power, Biden believes the door is open for renewed efforts to free the hostages.
“With Sinwar’s death, there is now an opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Biden stated. He further emphasized the importance of securing a ceasefire and working toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Biden praised the U.S. special operations forces and intelligence officials who played an advisory role in helping Israel track and locate Sinwar over the past year. Although the operation that resulted in Sinwar’s death was conducted by Israeli forces, U.S. intelligence reportedly played a crucial part in pinpointing his location.
Sinwar’s Role as a Major Obstacle to Peace
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan echoed Biden’s sentiments, calling Sinwar a “massive obstacle to peace.” Sullivan explained that Sinwar’s elimination presents an opportunity to move forward with negotiations that could lead to the hostages’ release and end the war in Gaza. “His removal from the battlefield does present an opportunity to find a way forward that gets the hostages home,” Sullivan said, indicating that the U.S. sees this as a pivotal moment in the conflict.
While optimism surrounds the potential for progress following Sinwar’s death, officials are cautious about what comes next. Hamas remains a decentralized organization, and it is unclear who will take over Sinwar’s role or whether they will be more inclined to negotiate. Nevertheless, the U.S. and its allies view this as a critical turning point and are prepared to seize the opportunity to press for peace.
Kamala Harris Calls for a Just End to the War
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris also weighed in on Sinwar’s death, saying it presents a chance to finally end the war in Gaza. Speaking at a campaign event in Wisconsin, Harris reiterated that the war must end in a way that ensures Israel’s security, the release of hostages, and the protection of the Palestinian people’s rights.
“The war must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination,” Harris stated.
As Harris arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside, chanting “Free, free Palestine,” signaling the broader tensions that continue to divide public opinion on the conflict.
More Read
Israeli Reactions and Military Success
Israeli officials have confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was killed during a battle with Israeli forces in Gaza. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, called Sinwar’s death both a military and moral victory for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Sinwar had long been a key figure in Hamas, orchestrating numerous attacks on Israel, including the October 7 assault, which left over 1,200 dead and sparked a yearlong war in the region.
Sinwar, a founding member of Hamas, was considered a central architect of the group’s militant strategy. He was the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which involved Hamas militants breaching Israeli borders, killing civilians, and taking hostages. The attack escalated tensions and triggered ongoing military actions in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East.
With Sinwar’s death, Israel and its international partners, including the United States, now look to the future, hoping that this event could pave the way for peace and, most urgently, the safe return of the hostages still held in Gaza. However, as the war continues, the region remains fraught with uncertainty, even as many leaders express cautious optimism that a political solution may finally be within reach.
