The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip 㽶Ƶֱends a reign of terror,㽶Ƶֱ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday, as some world leaders suggested his death may bring about a better chance of ending the current conflict and bringing lasting peace in the Middle East.
Sinwar was one of the chief architects of the attack on Israel last October that prompted an Israeli bombardment and ground invasion, and a conflict that has drawn in countries across the Middle East.
The Israeli military declared that it had killed Sinwar during a Wednesday battle in Gaza and confirmed his death with a DNA test. Israeli leaders celebrated his killing and believe it to be a moment for Hamas to surrender and release some 100 hostages it still holds captive, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 㽶Ƶֱour war has not yet ended.㽶Ƶֱ
Trudeau called Sinwar a 㽶Ƶֱbrutal leader㽶Ƶֱ of a group Canada deems a terrorist organization.
㽶ƵֱUnder Sinwar㽶Ƶֱs leadership, Hamas carried out the horrific atrocities of Oct. 7, sought to destroy Israel, and launched senseless, devastating terrorist attacks on civilians across the region,㽶Ƶֱ Trudeau said. 㽶ƵֱToday delivers a measure of justice for his victims and their families.㽶Ƶֱ
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Sinwar㽶Ƶֱs 㽶Ƶֱlegacy of terror must be unequivocally and universally condemned.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶ƵֱHamas must immediately release hostages, lay down its arms, and have no role in the future governance of Gaza. A ceasefire must be secured.㽶Ƶֱ
U.S. President Joe Biden called Sinwar㽶Ƶֱs death a 㽶Ƶֱgood day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world,㽶Ƶֱ and said it represented an opportunity to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas and end the yearlong war in Gaza.
He said with Sinwar㽶Ƶֱs death 㽶Ƶֱthere is now the opportunity for a 㽶Ƶֱday after㽶Ƶֱ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.㽶Ƶֱ
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sinwar repeatedly 㽶Ƶֱrebuffed efforts by the United States and its partners to bring this war to a close through an agreement that would return the hostages to their families and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.㽶Ƶֱ
He said the U.S. will step up its efforts to end the conflict, release the hostages and allow the people of Gaza to rebuild 㽶Ƶֱfree from the brutal grip of Hamas.㽶Ƶֱ