The West reacts to the news of Hamas leader Sinwar's death

(CLO) Israel announced that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the attack on October 7 last year, was killed on October 16 in an attack in the southern Gaza Strip.

In August, Hamas appointed Sinwar as head of the group's political department to succeed Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh was assassinated during a visit to Iran on July 31.

Here are some reactions to Sinwar's death:

Portrait of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had "resolved the issue" with Sinwar but "the war is not over yet".

Mr Netanyahu said in a televised speech that “light is triumphing over darkness” in the region, and that Sinwar’s death was a “milestone” in the group’s decline. He said Hamas would no longer rule Gaza.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Israel Katz called the killing of Sinwar a military achievement of the Israeli army, while Benny Gantz, Chairman of the Israeli National Unity Party, congratulated the Israeli army.

"This is an important achievement with a clear message: we will pursue the enemy to the end, anytime and anywhere," Mr. Gantz wrote on social network X.

US President Joe Biden said Sinwar's death marked a moment of relief for Israel, while opening up opportunities for "the next day" in Gaza without the ruling group.

"Yahya Sinwar was the obstacle to all of our goals. That obstacle is gone, but there is still much work ahead of us," Biden said.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Sinwar's death was an opportunity to "fully end the war in Gaza."

"Justice has been served. Sinwar is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent people, including the victims of October 7 and the hostages killed in Gaza," Ms. Harris told reporters.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called Sinwar a “brutal murderer and terrorist”. She said Hamas should “immediately release all hostages” it took in the attack on Israel on 7 October and lay down its arms.

President Emmanuel Macron called for the release of "all hostages" held by Hamas in Gaza after Israel said it had killed Sinwar.

"Yahya Sinwar is the main person responsible for the terrorist attacks and barbaric acts of October 7," Macron posted on X. "France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters at a news conference in Brussels that "if he dies, I personally will not mourn him," referring to Sinwar.

"It appears that the military leader of Hamas has been killed and I believe that in this view, Israel may have acted in self-defense against Hamas terrorists," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

“I hope that the removal of the Hamas leader will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza,” he added.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giogia Meloni said: "I believe that a new phase must begin now: It is time to release all hostages, declare an immediate ceasefire and start reconstruction in Gaza. We will continue to strongly support all efforts in this direction and restore a serious and credible political process leading to a two-state solution."

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said: "I will not mourn the death of a terrorist leader like Sinwar, who was responsible for the terrorist attack on 7 October."

He said last year's attack on southern Israel "not only caused the darkest and deadliest day for Jews since World War II, but also triggered more than a year of conflict and unacceptable levels of civilian casualties for Palestinians".

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Yahya Sinwar, the brutal leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, has been eliminated by the IDF. Under Sinwar's leadership, Hamas committed horrific atrocities on October 7, sought to destroy Israel, and launched senseless and brutal terrorist attacks on civilians across the region. Today, Sinwar's death ends a reign of terror."

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phan-ung-cua-cac-nuoc-phuong-tay-truoc-tin-thu-linh-hamas-sinwar-qua-doi-post317383.html