Biden leads calls for Gaza ceasefire after Hamas leader Sinwar’s death

Western leaders, led by US President Joe Biden, have pushed for an end to the conflict after the death of Hamas leader in Gaza and mastermind behind the 7 October attacks, Yahya Sinwar.

Hours after Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, Biden and other leaders congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the killing — saying that Sinwar had “blood on his hands”.

As he arrived in Germany, Biden said, “Now’s the time to move on … Move towards a ceasefire in Gaza.”

Sinwar, a rarely seen figure, was responsible for a deadly terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October — a moment that sparked devastating, year-long attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip and spawned a separate, deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas’ allies Hezbollah in Lebanon.

US officials expressed optimism that the death of the infamous figure could signal a turning point in the Middle East and give new impetus to ceasefire talks that have stalled as Israel exchanges escalating fire with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Over the past few weeks, there have been no negotiations for an end to the war because Sinwar has refused to negotiate,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, adding that his death opened up the possibility for Hamas and Israel to negotiate an end to the fighting.

Biden joins other figures including his Vice-President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in pushing for a ceasefire.

Scholz said, “There is a proposal from President Biden and others as to what such a ceasefire could look like and we fully support that” in Brussels on Thursday.

Echoing his sentiment, Macron said in a post on X that “Yahya Sinwar was the main person responsible for the terrorist attacks and barbaric acts of 7 October. France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.”

‘Not over yet’

Despite international optimism that fighting in the Middle East could cease, Netanyahu said although Sinwar’s death marked a new phase in the war, Israel’s war in Gaza and Lebanon “is not yet ended.”

The Israeli leader has vowed to keep fighting until all hostages taken by Hamas into Israel on 7 October are freed. He has also said that he would keep control over the Gaza Strip long enough to ensure that Hamas never return — a timeline that raises the possibility that the Israeli army could be in Gaza for years to come.

Neither Hamas nor their allies Hezbollah gave an indication that there could be a pause in hostilities. In a post on X, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said that the killing would “strengthen the spirit of resistance,” adding that Sinwar would become an inspiration for future generations following his death.

Hezbollah announced “the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel.”

For families of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the killing represents a moment of opportunity for Israel to refocus its efforts away from fighting and towards negotiating a deal.

“Netanyahu, don’t bury the hostages. Go now to the negotiators and the Israeli public and present a new Israeli initiative,” Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza, said in a post on social media.

Video editor • Evelyn Ann-Marie Dom

Additional sources • AP