Hamas remained defiant Friday, insisting that the assassination of its chief Yahya Sinwar will solely make the fear group stronger — and won’t drive it into liberating the remaining Israeli hostages.
Senior Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya confirmed in a video assertion that Sinwar had been killed Wednesday — whereas vowing that it could solely strengthen the group’s battle towards “the occupiers,” in line with a translation by the Instances of Israel.
He additionally denied Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calls for for the remaining hostages — saying that the 101 nonetheless being held would solely be freed beneath a full cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Netanyahu had earlier confirmed the demise of the person behind the Oct. 7, 2023, incursion — during which round 1,200 individuals have been randomly slaughtered — saying: “The mastermind of at the present time of sheer evil isn’t any extra.”
“To the individuals of Gaza, I’ve a easy message: This conflict can finish tomorrow. It could finish if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages,” he mentioned.
“We are going to proceed with full drive till all of your family members — our family members — are returned dwelling. That’s our supreme obligation. That’s my supreme obligation,” he instructed the households of the remaining hostages.
Netanyahu mentioned that anybody in Gaza who was holding hostages could be allowed to dwell in the event that they laid down their weapons and launched the captives.
The households of the hostages issued their very own assertion urging Israel and its allies to “seize this chance” to return their family members to security.
Sinwar was a serious impediment to earlier makes an attempt at a cease-fire and hostage deal, White Home spokesperson John Kirby mentioned.
His demise created an “inflection level” that might pave the best way for extra productive talks, although these discussions are usually not underway but, Kirby defined.
With Submit wires
