JERUSALEM, Israel – Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of October 7 and a mass murderer of more Jews than anyone since Hitler, has died.
Israeli soldiers killed Sinwar in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Wednesday after he evaded Israeli Defense Forces for more than a year.
Immediately following the news, Israeli celebrations began at the Western Wall, IDF checkpoints in Gaza, and across the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this is not the end of the war in Gaza, but it is the beginning of the end.
He spoke directly to the people in Gaza, saying, “I have a simple message: This war can end tomorrow. It can only end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages and those who return to Israel. Will guarantee the safety of all people.” Our hostage. But for those who would harm our hostages, I have another message: Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”
Sinwar planned the October 7 massacre, where approximately 1,200 Israelis and other nationalities were murdered and more than 250 were abducted.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s chief spokesman, said, “On this day, our thoughts are with the families of those killed or abducted because of Sinwar.”
Hagari said that the young soldiers who killed him did not even realize that they were pursuing Sinwar.
An IDF drone flew over the house where Sinwar was hiding and captured his last moments.
Hagari said Israel has fulfilled its pledge to bring the terrorist leader to justice, but the job is not done.
“We will not rest until we bring all of our hostages home by any means necessary and we will continue to operate until we have accomplished all of our missions in defense of the people of Israel.”
Some see the death of the man who promised to wipe the State of Israel off the map as the US equivalent of killing Osama bin Laden.
International security analyst Nomi Bar-Yaakov said, “This is a huge deal. That’s the man Yahya Sinwar, who almost single-handedly planned, orchestrated the October 7 attack on Israel.”
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Galant believes Sinwar’s death sends a clear message.
Gallant declared, “Sinwar’s elimination joins a long series of eliminations from Nasrallah to Muhammad Deif and many others.”
Gallant told the remaining Gazan militants, “It’s time to go out, release the hostages, raise your hands, surrender.”
Nevertheless, some fear that Hamas may now execute all the hostages.
Efrat Calderon, a relative of one of the hostages, said, “Because of Sinwar’s murder they might kill him or do something, and that’s what I’m afraid of.”
President Joe Biden indicated he is already talking with Netanyahu about the future.
“It’s time to end this war and bring these hostages home,” Biden said.
The US State Department viewed Sinwar as a key step in ending the war in Gaza.
“He not only started this conflict, but for the past year he has refused efforts by the United States and our allies to end it,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Some Palestinians are saddened by Sinwar’s death, but others see it as an opportunity to end the war that has devastated so much of their lives.
Um Mohammed, a displaced Palestinian, declared, “They no longer have any reason left to continue the war. When we heard the news of Sinwar, it is true that we were sad for him, but at the same time we were happy.” So that the war can end.”
Netanyahu argues that it is indeed time to end the war – not just with the Iranian proxy Hamas, but with Iran’s entire axis of evil.
“Those who want a future of prosperity and peace in the Middle East must unite to build a better future. “Together, we can push back the forces of darkness and build a future of light and hope for us all,” the Prime Minister said.
