'Sinwar Ruined Lives': Netanyahu Asks Hamas Fighters To Lay Down Arms, Release Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday applauded the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and emphasised on the release of the hostages held by the militant group.

In a stern message to the Hamas terrorists, he said that those who will release the hostages would be allowed to live and those who will harm the hostages would be eliminated.

“To the Hamas terrorists I say – your leaders are running away and they will be eliminated. I call on everyone who holds our hostages: whoever lays down his arms and returns our hostages – we will allow him to leave and live. Whoever harms our hostages – there will be blood on his head and we will hold him accountable. The return of our hostages is an opportunity to achieve all our goals and it brings the end of the war closer,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli PM further said that Sinwar’s death is a landmark in ending the Hamas rule from Gaza. He said, “To the residents of Gaza, I say that Sinwar ruined your lives. He was hiding in a den. His elimination is a landmark in ending Hamas rule. Hamas no longer rules Gaza.”

He also applauded the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for a major breakthrough. Netanyahu said that Sinwar’s killing is a victory of good over evil and Israel is inching toward victory in war against its enemies.

He also called upon the big challenges ahead and urged to stay together and united.

Yayha Sinwar, who orchestrated October 7 Israel attack, was killed an operation by Israeli forces in Gaza on Thursday.  Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed the death of Sinwar. In a statement, he said, “Mass murderer Yahya Sinwar, who was responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also called on Hamas to surrender and release the hostages.

“Yahya Sinwar was eliminated and ended his life, beaten, persecuted and fled. His elimination is a clear message to the families of the fallen and abducted – we are doing everything and will continue to do it. Residents of Gaza, the end of the man who killed you in a disaster has arrived, go out with the kidnapped, free them and surrender,” Gallant said in a video message on X.

The IDF also confirmed Sinwar’s death. “Eliminated: Yahya Sinwar,” it said in a post on X. However, it said that the troops were not targeting Sinwar in incident in which he was killed. It didn’t know that Sinwar was in the building where they were operating.

The Chief of Staff, Major General Herzi Halevi and the head of the General Security Service, Ronan Bar also inspected the spot where Sinwar was killed.

It had said that there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the building where these three people were killed.

“During IDF operations in Gaza, 3 terrorists were eliminated. The IDF and ISA are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed. In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of the presence of hostages in the area. The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution,” IDF had said.

US President Joe Biden also hailed Sinwar’s death saying that this is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.

“To my Israeli friends, this is no doubt a day of relief and reminiscence, similar to the scenes witnessed throughout the United States after President Obama ordered the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Israel has had every right to eliminate the leadership and military structure of Hamas. Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7,” he said in a statement.

The Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives applauded the killing of Sinwar, saying his death had brought “relief” to the people of Israel.

“Sinwar’s life was the embodiment of evil and marked by hatred for all that is good in the world. His death brings hope for all those who seek to live in freedom, and relief to Israelis he has sought to oppress,” Mike Johnson said in a statement.

According to Qatar Foreign Ministry, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken to Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and discussed the latest developments in the Middle-East.