In the wake of Israel’s announced killing of Yahya Sinwar, US President Joe Biden issued a statement saying that chance has been created for settlement of ongoing war in Gaza.
He said that US intelligence contributed to Israel’s manhunt for the Hamas leader over the course of the last year.
“There is now the 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. Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all of those goals. That obstacle no longer exists. But much work remains before us.”
Joe Biden
Biden has long blamed Sinwar and Hamas for the failure of negotiations to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza – blame that Hamas and some other world leaders place on Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel.
U.S Senator Bernie Sanders also issued a statement saying that there is now no justification for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “his extremist government to continue their all-out war” against the Palestinian people.
“There is no justification for further delaying a hostage deal and a ceasefire and there is absolutely no justification for continued US support for Netanyahu’s horrific policies, which are in clear violation of US and international law.”
Bernie Sanders
Sanders has been Isreal’s chief critic in the US Senate throughout the war on Gaza.
Some European leaders reacted to the announced killing, calling for ceasefire.
French President, Emmanuel Macron said that Yahya Sinwar was the main person responsible for the terrorist attacks and barbaric acts of October 7, adding that France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani said that Israel may have carried out its self-defence against the Hamas terrorists with the killing of Sinwar. “I hope that the disappearance of the Hamas leader will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza,” he added.
German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock also stated that Hamas must now release all hostages and lay down its weapons, adding that the suffering of the people in Gaza must finally end.
However, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “This is not the end of the war in Gaza. It’s is the beginning of the end.” He said, “This war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down his arms and returns the hostages.”
He added that Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return the captives, but for those who arm them “Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”
He also addressed his message to the wider region saying that Iran’s axis of resistance was “collapsing before our eyes.”
Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have sent out strong signals since news of Sinwar’s apparent killing broke that the country will continue to execute its war on Gaza.
Cycle Of Violence Likely To Continue
Mohamad Elmasry, from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, opined that the cycle of violence is likely to continue unless the fundamental causes of the ongoing war are confronted. “We know that violence breeds more violence. This genocide will breed even greater levels of resistance – these are just basic facts,” Elmasry told a news agency.
While also suffering losses, Hamas has been able to recruit thousands of new members since the start of the war, Elmastry said, citing United States intelligence.
“So the resistance is not going anywhere anytime soon unless the root causes of this conflict are addressed, and the root causes are well known. They’re the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, the apartheid system that Israel has set up, the siege on Gaza, and the continued injustices.”
Mohamad Elmasry
Once those things are addressed, Elmasry added, there can be a peaceful resolution, “but until then, there will be resistance.”
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