By James Mackenzie, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Samia Nakhoul
JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) – Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group mentioned on Friday it was shifting to a brand new and escalating part in its battle in opposition to Israel whereas Iran mentioned “the spirit of resistance will be strengthened” after the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023, assault that triggered the Gaza battle, was killed throughout an operation by Israeli troopers within the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday, a pivotal occasion within the year-long battle.
Western leaders mentioned his demise supplied a chance for the battle to finish, however Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the battle would go on till the hostages seized by Hamas militants had been returned.
“Today we have settled the score. Today evil has been dealt a blow but our task has still not been completed,” Netanyahu mentioned in a recorded video assertion after the demise was confirmed on Thursday.
“To the dear hostage families, I say: This is an important moment in the war. We will continue full force until all your loved ones, our loved ones, are home.”
Sinwar, who was named as Hamas’ general chief following the assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, was believed to have been hiding within the warren of tunnels Hamas has constructed underneath Gaza over the previous 20 years.
He was killed throughout a gun battle in southern Gaza on Wednesday by Israeli troops who had been initially unaware that they’d caught their nation’s primary enemy, Israeli officers mentioned.
The army launched drone video of what it mentioned was Sinwar, sitting on an armchair and coated in mud inside a destroyed constructing.
Hamas has not made any remark itself, however sources throughout the group have mentioned the indications they’ve seen recommend Sinwar was certainly killed by Israeli troops.
‘CHIEF OBSTACLE’
Despite Western hopes of a ceasefire, Sinwar’s demise might dial up hostilities within the Middle East the place the prospect of an excellent wider battle has grown.
Israel has launched a floor marketing campaign in Lebanon over the previous month and is now planning a response to an Oct. 1 missile assault carried out by Iran, ally of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
But the demise of the person who deliberate the assault final 12 months during which fighters killed 1,200 individuals in Israel and captured greater than 250 hostages, in line with Israeli tallies, might additionally assist push ahead stalled efforts to finish the battle during which Israel has killed greater than 42,000 Palestinians, in line with Gaza well being authorities.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who spoke to Netanyahu by telephone to congratulate him, mentioned Sinwar’s demise offered an opportunity for the battle in Gaza to lastly finish and for Israeli hostages to be introduced house.
The U.S. needs to kick-start talks on a proposal to realize a ceasefire and safe the discharge of hostages, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned, calling Sinwar the “chief obstacle” to ending the battle.
“That obstacle has obviously been removed. Can’t predict that that means whoever replaces (Sinwar) will agree to a ceasefire, but it does remove what has been in recent months the chief obstacle to getting one,” he mentioned. In latest weeks, Sinwar had refused to barter in any respect, Miller mentioned.
Iran indicated no signal the killing would shift its help. “The spirit of resistance will be strengthened” following the demise of Sinwar, its mission to the United Nations mentioned.
Hezbollah was additionally defiant, asserting “the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel”.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate telephone calls on Thursday with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar geared toward ending the battle within the Middle East, the State Department mentioned.
NO COMFORT, NO COMPROMISE
Families of Israeli hostages mentioned that whereas the killing of Sinwar was a big achievement, it might not be full whereas hostages are nonetheless in Gaza.
Avi Marciano, the daddy of Noa Marciano, who was killed in captivity by Hamas, advised Israeli broadcaster KAN that “the monster, the one who took her from me, who had the blood of all our daughters on his hands, finally met the gates of hell.”
“A little justice, but no comfort,” he mentioned. “There will be comfort only when Naama, Liri, Agam, Daniela and Karina, our girls’ friends, return home.”
In Khan Younis within the south of the Gaza Strip, a displaced Palestinian named Thabet Amour advised Reuters the Palestinian struggle would proceed.
“This is resistance that does not disappear when men disappear,” he mentioned. “The assassination of Sinwar will not lead to the end of the resistance or to a compromise or surrender and raising the white flag.”
(Reporting by Laila Bassam and Timour Azhar in Beirut, Maayan Lubel and James Mackenzie in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo, Lena Masri, Elwely Elwelly in Dubai; Costas Pitas in Washingtonand Michelle Nichol in New York; Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Stephen Coates)
