Hamas Vows to Continue Fight After Leader’s Death
A senior Hamas official declared on Friday that the killing of the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, would not deter their ongoing conflict with Israel. This assertion came as President Biden sought to broker a deal aimed at halting the violence in the Gaza Strip and securing the release of hostages still held there.
In Hamas’s first official response following Israel’s announcement of Mr. Sinwar’s death on Thursday, his deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, affirmed the group’s steadfast stance regarding its conditions for a cease-fire. Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas continues to demand an end to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, a complete withdrawal from the territory, and the liberation of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.
“We are committed to following the path laid out by Hamas,” stated al-Hayya during a televised address. He praised Mr. Sinwar for his commitment and sacrifice on the battlefield, asserting that his leadership would not be forgotten and that the “banner of resistance will not be lowered.” As of now, it remains uncertain when Hamas will announce a successor to Mr. Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday.
Mr. Sinwar was instrumental in orchestrating the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others, who were taken to Gaza as hostages. This attack triggered Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 42,000 people, according to local health officials, and has left vast areas of the territory devastated.
President Biden and key officials in his administration have expressed cautious optimism that Mr. Sinwar’s death might open a pathway toward resolving the conflict. The war has drawn in allies of Hamas, including the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which began launching rockets into Israel last October, and Iran, a supporter of both factions.
American and Israeli officials have been urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue a cease-fire agreement that would facilitate the release of the 101 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, with at least a third of them feared dead.