Biden and Harris maintain that although Sinwar’s death has not yet been confirmed by Hamas, the Gaza conflict is nearing an end.
US President Joe Biden congratulated Israel on its announcement of killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, saying it was a “relief” for Israel and a step toward ending the war in Gaza.
Biden also said on Thursday that the theory of Sinwar’s assassination was an opportunity for a “political solution” to the conflict, although he did not acknowledge Hamas.
“Today is a good day for Israel, for America, and for the world,” Biden said in a statement after Israeli authorities announced that Shinwar had been killed and identified.
“Today… proves once again that no terrorist anywhere in the world will escape justice, no matter how long it takes,” he said.
Biden added that the United States helped the Israeli military “locate and track” Shinwar along with Hamas leaders.
Sinwar became the organization’s political director after his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran in July in an attack widely blamed on Israel.
“Mr. Sinwar was an important operational, military and political figure for Hamas,” said Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, calling his alleged killing an “opportunity.”
“Indeed, this is a very important event because in recent weeks and months he has been consolidating control of both the political and military branches under his unique leadership.”
Mr. Sinwar, who spent 20 years in Israeli prisons, has become a top target for Israel since the Oct. 7 attack, which Israel claims masterminded.
USA “Next Day Opportunity”
U.S. officials said Shinwar’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 an opportunity for a political solution that provides a ‘next day’ for Gaza and a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians, when Hamas is no longer in power,” Biden said.
Sullivan, who was on Air Force One with Biden, added that “Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem and chaos and death than actually trying to achieve a ceasefire and a hostage agreement.”
Hamas has repeatedly said it supports a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war and releasing Israeli and Palestinian prisoners of war in the Gaza Strip. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until “complete victory.”
Biden met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Thursday.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement: “The US president praised the (Israeli military’s) excellent operation.” “Both leaders agreed that there is an opportunity to make progress in the release of the hostages and to work together to achieve this objective.”
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris also addressed reporters during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, saying Shinwar’s death meant “it’s time for the day after tomorrow to begin.”
However, the US administration’s optimism about ending the war was in stark contrast to Netanyahu’s insistence that Israel’s “mission” in Gaza is not yet complete.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political correspondent, said: “There is a constant delusion on the American side that this incredible violence, this horrible death and destruction, will suddenly pave the way to a paradise in the Middle East.” “
“With Sinwar’s killing, the war will continue to widen, deepen and become more violent,” he predicted.
