By James Mackenzie, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Samia Nakhoul
JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group stated on Friday it was shifting to a brand new and escalating section in its battle towards Israel whereas Iran stated “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 stated his demise provided a chance for the battle to finish, however Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated 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 stated 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’ total 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 beneath Gaza over the previous twenty 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 stated.
The navy launched drone video of what it stated 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 stated the indications they’ve seen recommend Sinwar was certainly killed by Israeli troops.
‘CHIEF OBSTACLE’
Regardless of Western hopes of a ceasefire, Sinwar’s demise may dial up hostilities within the Center East the place the prospect of a good wider battle has grown.
Israel launched a floor marketing campaign in Lebanon this month month and is now planning a response to an Oct. 1 missile assault carried out by Iran, ally of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
However the demise of the person who deliberate the assault final 12 months through which fighters killed 1,200 folks in Israel and captured greater than 250 hostages, based on Israeli tallies, may additionally assist push ahead stalled efforts to finish the battle through which Israel has killed greater than 42,000 Palestinians, based on Gaza well being authorities.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who spoke to Netanyahu by cellphone to congratulate him, stated 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. desires to kick-start talks on a proposal to realize a ceasefire and safe the discharge of hostages, U.S. State Division spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, 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 stated. In current weeks, Sinwar had refused to barter in any respect, Miller stated.
Iran indicated no signal the killing would shift its assist. “The spirit of resistance will be strengthened” following the demise of Sinwar, its mission to the United Nations stated.
Hezbollah was additionally defiant, saying “the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel”.
The Israeli navy stated on Friday it had additionally killed Muhammad Hassin Ramal, Hezbollah’s commander of the Tayibe space in southern Lebanon.
NO COMFORT, NO COMPROMISE
Households of Israeli hostages stated that whereas the killing of Sinwar was a big achievement, it could not be full whereas hostages are nonetheless in Gaza.
Avi Marciano, the daddy of Noa Marciano, who was killed in captivity by Hamas, informed 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 stated. “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 informed Reuters the Palestinian struggle would proceed.
“This is resistance that does not disappear when men disappear,” he stated. “The assassination of Sinwar will not lead to the end of the resistance or to a compromise or surrender and raising the white flag.”