Reports have now revealed that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader who orchestrated the October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel has been killed. The announcement comes as the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas divides lawmakers, but Republicans and Democrats are both celebrating the news.
Today, the Israeli military confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had been killed in battle. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement announcing that Sinwar had been killed on Wednesday after a "year-long pursuit."
The statement also noted that "in recent weeks, IDF and ISA forces, under the command of the Southern Command, have been operating in the southern Gaza Strip, following IDF and ISA intelligence that indicated the suspected locations of senior members of Hamas."
Immediately following the announcement, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle released statements.
Read my statement on the reported death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar: pic.twitter.com/BjSj9pKnxh
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) October 17, 2024
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) celebrated the news, sharing that "the world is better off with Sinwar gone." "The architect of Hamas' 10.7.23 horrific attack on Israel, this terrorist is responsible for thousands of Israeli, American, and Palestinian deaths," she added.
"Even before 10.7, he was known as the Butcher of Khan Younis, murdering Gaza's and using human shields," Rep. Wasserman Schultz further explained, adding that "Israel, like any other nation, has the right to continue to defend itself against terrorists who threaten the annihilation of its people."
Florida Rep. Brian Mast (R) similarly took to social media to comment on the news.
Israel just showed the rest of the world the only appropriate way to deal with a terrorist leader.
Sinwar had the blood of innocent Americans and Israelis on his hands. Today, he was brought to justice.
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) October 17, 2024
"Israel just showed the rest of the world the only appropriate way to deal with a terrorist leader," he wrote. "Sinwar had the blood of innocent Americans and Israelis on his hands. Today, he was brought to justice."
President Joe Biden (D) has announced that he will be speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to discuss the pathway for bringing the hostages home to their families, and for ending this war once and for all, which has caused so much devastation to innocent people.”
