The Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, has been killed by Israeli forces, ending a year-long hunt for the mastermind of the 7 October attacks on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.
The Israeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, confirmed reports yesterday in a message sent to counterparts around the world. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said almost immediately after Katz's statement was reported by Israeli media that Sinwar had been "eliminated".
His death is a major boost to the IDF and Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as the latest in a string of high-profile assassinations of enemy leaders in recent months.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu said: "Today we have settled the score," describing Sinwar's death as the "beginning of the end".
"We have demonstrated today that all those who try to harm us, this is what happens to them," the prime minister said. "And how the forces of good can always beat the forces of evil and darkness. The war is still ongoing, and it's costly." Addressing Israeli citizens, Netanyahu said there were "a lot of challenges still facing us" and the country must "stand firm on our ground and to continue to fight".
Israel would continue with "all our strength" to bring the hostages still held in Gaza home, he added.
The US vice-president, Kamala Harris, called Sinwar's killing a step of progress towards eliminating the threat Hamas poses to Israel.
"Justice has been served," Harris told reporters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Sinwar was responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent people, including the victims of October 7 and hostages killed in Gaza.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 18, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 18, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
At least 75% of universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists
More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel firms from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.
Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".
Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
When times have been tough in the past for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, there has always been the sense they will pull through; it will be OK.
Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy
Pep Guardiola kept holding up six fingers. The Liverpool fans were in delirium and the Liverpool players were jigging and jiving across the turf, and his own players had gone over to applaud the travelling support, which is really the least anyone deserves after attempting to travel across northern England on a Sunday.
Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
\"Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananananananaaa,\" the jubilant Manchester United fans chorused after Joshua Zirkzee's second goal.
Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.
Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.
Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
Emma Hayes United States head coach
'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up
Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.
