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Biden Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire After the Death of Hamas Boss

Joe Biden has called on Israel’s prime minister to “move on” and strive for progress towards a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who orchestrated the 7 October attack. This plea comes as global leaders intensify efforts to halt the ongoing conflict.

On Thursday, shortly after Sinwar’s assassination in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, the U.S. President congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu, stating Sinwar “has a lot of blood on his hands—American blood, Israeli blood, and others.”

Arriving in Germany to convene with European leaders, Biden expressed increased optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire and announced plans to dispatch U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel within the next few days.

In calls for ceasefire progression, Biden was joined by figures such as Vice-President Kamala Harris, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

On Thursday, Blinken engaged in separate discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, focusing on resolving the Middle Eastern conflict, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

This initiative occurs as the Iranian mission to the UN claims the assassination will bolster the “spirit of resistance” and motivate future generations. Hezbollah, supported by Iran and based in Lebanon, declared an escalation in the conflict with Israel.

At the time of reporting, Hamas had not yet responded to the loss of its leader.

In a televised statement, Netanyahu characterized Sinwar’s elimination as “the beginning of the end” but emphasized that Israel must “remain resolute and continue the fight.”

“We have demonstrated today that all those who try to harm us, this is what happens to them,” Netanyahu said. “And how the forces of good can always beat the forces of evil and darkness. The war is still ongoing, and it’s costly.”

Analysts are still evaluating the impact of Sinwar’s death on Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, with many indicating that Israel’s military presence in the area is likely to continue.

Before his departure to Germany, Biden mentioned the potential for a new phase in Gaza following Hamas’s weakened leadership, which could pave the way for a political resolution benefiting both Israelis and Palestinians.

He noted that Sinwar was a significant barrier to these objectives, a barrier that no longer exists, although much work remains.

Earlier, Blinken labeled Sinwar as a relentless terrorist who had consistently disrupted peace efforts. He accused Sinwar of rejecting multiple attempts by the U.S. and its allies to conclude the war through negotiations aimed at releasing hostages and alleviating Palestinian suffering.

As news of Sinwar’s death spread across Gaza, accompanied by disturbing images of his corpse, many are left questioning what the future holds.

While the elimination of Sinwar is seen as a major success, Israeli families with loved ones still held captive by Hamas believe that victory is incomplete.

Avi Marciano, whose daughter Noa was killed by Hamas while in captivity, told the Israeli broadcaster KAN, “The beast who robbed me of my daughter, who bore the blood of our daughters, has finally faced justice at the gates of hell.”

“Though it brings a semblance of justice, it does not provide solace,” he continued. “True comfort will only come when Naama, Liri, Agam, Daniela, and Karina—friends of our daughters—are safely returned home.”

In Israel, the news of Sinwar’s death has been met with mixed reactions, but some, like Hemda, who preferred to share only her first name, view it as a harbinger of better days.

“I am celebrating the death of Sinwar, who has brought us nothing but harm, and has taken people hostage,” she stated.

The conflict in Gaza was triggered by attacks from Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 people.

In retaliation, Israel’s military response has led to the deaths of at least 42,438 people, predominantly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, with figures deemed reliable by the UN.