Harris: Israeli killing of Sinwar an opportunity to end war in Gaza
Vice President Harris on Thursday praised Israel's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, calling for it to be an opportunity for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to end after more than a year of fighting in the Middle East.
“Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated,” Harris said during remarks from Wisconsin, where she was campaigning.
“This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” she added. “It is time for the day after to begin, without Hamas in power.”
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Thursday that it killed Sinwar during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Despite both Harris and President Biden calling Sinwar's killing an opportunity to end the war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a message that while Sinwar's killing is an important moment, the task to end Hamas is not yet complete, CNN reported.
The Biden administration has spent months pushing for a cease-fire deal to end the war and for both sides to agree to release the remaining hostages and work toward a future for Gaza, but any potential agreements, which have been worked on by multiple countries, have yet to come to fruition.
Biden in a statement said that he will talk with Netanyahu about “ending this war once and for all.” He also called Sinwar’s killing “the opportunity for a 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power.”
The vice president said Thursday that the killing of Sinwar means “justice has been served,” arguing that “the United States, Israel and the entire world are better off as a result,” she said.
“He had American blood of his hands,” Harris added.
She said that U.S. special operations and intelligence groups worked closely with Israeli counterparts to locate and track Sinwar, commending their operations. And she issued a stark warning against terrorists threatening U.S. interests.
“I will say to any terrorist who kills Americans, threatens the American people or threatens our troops or our interests, know this: We will always bring you to justice,” Harris said.
Sinwar is largely known to be the architect of the Oct. 7 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed in southern Israel. He was Israel’s top target in Gaza but survived in Hamas’s underground tunnel network for more than a year as the war of his making raged above.
Harris on Thursday called Oct. 7 “a terrorist attack that triggered a devastating war in Gaza, a war that has led to unconscionable suffering to many Palestinians and greater instability throughout the Middle East.”
Harris has faced backlash and protests from pro-Palestinian Americans for her support for Israel amid its war effort in Gaza. While on her way to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she gave her remarks, protesters gathered along both sides of the street yelling “free, free Palestine,” “justice is our demand” and “we charge you with genocide.”
“Bombing kids is not self-defense,” another sign read, while one referenced “Killer Kamala” and another said “VP Harris we charge you with genocide.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Israel |
-
World - ABC News
Sinwar's killing opens up opportunity and much uncertainty for the war in Gaza
Israel’s killing of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ top leader and the mastermind of the group’s Oct. 7 2023, attack, is a dramatic turning point in the brutal yearlong war that it touched off1 hour ago -
World - The Guardian
Harris says death of Yahya Sinwar is chance to finally end Israel-Gaza war
Other leaders hail the death of the Hamas leader, saying there is opportunity for ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Israel kills its prime target – but Sinwar’s death seems down to chance, not ...14 minutes ago - Israel -
World - The Wall Street Journal
Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Studied Israel in Mission to Topple It
The head of the U.S-designated terrorist organization spent two decades in Israeli prisons before emerging to assemble a powerful militia.4 hours ago - Israel -
Top stories - CBS News
Latest news on Israel-Hamas war after Yahya Sinwar was killed in Gaza
Details of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip that led to the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar are emerging. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer has the latest confirmed ...2 hours ago - Israel -
Top stories - NBC News
Israeli military investigating possible killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, believed to be the architect of the Oct.5 hours ago - Israel -
World - ABC News
Israel says it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza
The Israeli military says it has killed Hamas’ top leader Yahya Sinwar during a battle in Gaza1 hour ago - Israel -
Top stories - ABC News
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed by IDF, Israel says
The Israeli foreign minister said Thursday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was among three people killed in an operation in the Gaza Strip.16 minutes ago - Israel -
Top stories - NBC News
Israeli official confirms Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in Gaza
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas and mastermind behind the October 7 attack on Israel, was killed during a "heavy gun battle" in Gaza, according to and Israeli official. NBC News' Matt Bradley has ...4 hours ago - Israel
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Yellen slams tariffs as Trump makes case
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Yellen takes shot at tariffs as Trump digs in Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...17 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Why Harris is happy with that confrontational Fox interview
Vice President Harris and Fox News host Bret Baier battled Wednesday evening in a 30-minute encounter that looked more like a debate at times than an interview. Baier asked Harris some of the ...34 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Watch live: Walz gives remarks from North Carolina
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Vice President Harris's running mate, is in North Carolina as the state kicks off early voting Thursday. Early voting began as the western part of the state is still ...35 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Evening Report — Voting ramps up in southeastern battlegrounds
{beacon} Evening Report © AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast Voting ramps up in southeast battlegrounds Voting is underway in Georgia and North Carolina, two pivotal southeastern battlegrounds that ...44 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
AI and the nuclear renaissance
Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter {beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Big Tech taps nuclear power as AI energy demand grows Major technology companies are increasingly turning ...46 minutes ago - Artificial Intelligence