Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group announced on Friday that it is moving into a new and escalating phase in its war against Israel, following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Meanwhile, Iran declared that “the spirit of resistance will be strengthened” in response to Sinwar’s death.
Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the Gaza war, was killed by Israeli forces during an operation in the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday. This event marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
Western leaders suggested that Sinwar’s death could provide an opportunity to resolve the conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the war will continue until the hostages taken by Hamas militants are returned. In a recorded video message released Thursday after confirming Sinwar’s death, Netanyahu declared, “Today we have settled the score. Today, evil has been dealt a blow, but our task has not yet been completed.”
Addressing the families of hostages, Netanyahu added, “This is an important moment in the war. We will continue with full force until all your loved ones, our loved ones, are home.”
Sinwar, who became Hamas’ overall leader after the assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, was believed to be hiding in the extensive tunnels Hamas has constructed under Gaza over the past two decades. Israeli officials said Sinwar was killed during a gun battle in southern Gaza on Wednesday. Initially, Israeli troops were unaware that they had captured their country’s most wanted enemy.
The Israeli military released drone footage showing what they claimed was Sinwar, sitting on an armchair covered in dust in a demolished building. Hamas has not issued an official statement, though sources within the group indicated that Sinwar was likely killed by Israeli forces.
Despite hopes for a ceasefire, Sinwar’s death could intensify hostilities in the Middle East. The possibility of a wider conflict looms as Israel plans a response to an October 1 missile attack, allegedly carried out by Iran, a Hamas and Hezbollah ally. However, Sinwar’s death might also pave the way for stalled efforts to end the war, which has resulted in over 42,000 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza health authorities.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who spoke with Netanyahu to congratulate him, stated that Sinwar’s death offers an opportunity for the conflict in Gaza to end and for hostages to be released. The U.S. hopes to initiate talks on a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages, said U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He described Sinwar as the “chief obstacle” to ending the war. “That obstacle has obviously been removed,” Miller remarked, though he cautioned that Sinwar’s replacement may not necessarily agree to a ceasefire.
Iran, however, showed no sign of softening its stance. Its mission to the United Nations said, “The spirit of resistance will be strengthened” after Sinwar’s death. Hezbollah echoed this defiance, declaring “the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate phone calls with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Thursday, aiming to bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East, according to the State Department.
While Sinwar’s death is seen as a significant military achievement by Israel, it offers little solace to the families of the Israeli hostages. Avi Marciano, father of Noa Marciano who was killed in captivity by Hamas, told Israeli broadcaster KAN: “The monster, the one who took her from me, who had the blood of all our daughters on his hands, finally met the gates of hell. A little justice, but no comfort. There will be comfort only when Naama, Liri, Agam, Daniela, and Karina, our girls’ friends, return home.”
In Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, a displaced Palestinian named Thabet Amour expressed defiance. “This is resistance that does not disappear when men disappear,” he said. “The assassination of Sinwar will not end the resistance or lead to compromise, surrender, or the raising of the white flag.”
Source. Reuters.com