Biden and Harris say Sinwar’s death, which has not yet been confirmed by Hamas, brings the end of the war in Gaza closer.
US President Joe Biden praised Israel for its announcement of the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, calling it a “relief” for Israel and a step toward ending the war in Gaza.
Biden also said Thursday that Sinwar’s alleged assassination, which Hamas has not confirmed, was an opportunity for a “political settlement” to the conflict.
“This is a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world,” Biden said in a statement after Israeli officials announced they had killed Sinwar and confirmed his identity.
“Today… proves once again that no terrorist anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes,” he said.
Biden added that the United States helped Israeli forces “locate and track” Sinwar, as well as other Hamas leaders.
Sinwar became head of the group’s political bureau after his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July in an attack widely blamed on Israel.
“Sinwar was a key figure in Hamas operationally, militarily and politically,” US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, calling his alleged assassination an “opportunity”.
“He has actually consolidated control of the political and military wing under his sole leadership over the last few weeks and months and so this is a very significant event. »
Sinwar, who spent two decades in an Israeli prison, had been a top target of Israel since the October 7 attack, which Israel says he organized.
The United States speaks of an “opportunity for the next day”
U.S. officials said Sinwar’s death removed an obstacle to ending the war in Gaza, in which Israeli forces have killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians.
“There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that offers a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Biden said.
Sullivan, aboard Air Force One with Biden, added: “Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem, mayhem and death than in trying to achieve a ceasefire and hostage agreement . »
Hamas has repeatedly said it supports a ceasefire deal that would see an end to the war and the release of Israeli captives in Gaza as well as Palestinian prisoners. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to continue the fight until “total victory”.
Biden spoke with Netanyahu later Thursday.
“The US president congratulated (the Israeli army) for its excellent operation,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement. “Both leaders agreed that there is an opportunity to advance the release of the hostages and that they would work together to achieve this goal.”
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, speaking to reporters during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, also said Sinwar’s death meant “it’s time for the next day to begin “.
However, the US administration’s optimism that the war was over stood in stark contrast to Netanyahu’s assertion that Israel’s “mission” in Gaza was not yet over.
“There is this continuing illusion on the part of the United States that this incredible violence, this horrible death and destruction will suddenly open the way to paradise in the Middle East,” said Marwan Bishara, Tel Aviv Tribune’s senior political correspondent. .
He predicted that “with the killing of Sinwar, the war will continue to expand and deepen and become even more violent.”