Following the passing of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and the man thought to be behind the assaults on Israel on October 7, 2023, world leaders pushed Hamas to release the Israeli hostages that remained.
The Israeli military declared on Thursday that Sinwar had been killed “after a year-long pursuit” by its soldiers on Wednesday in southern Gaza.
In the October 2023 incident, 251 hostages were taken by Hamas militants. Of the 97 people still in Gaza, 34 are reportedly dead, according to Israeli officials.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed Sinwar’s death as marking a “good day” for the world, saying it also removed a key obstacle to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.
“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,” Biden said.
