Kamala Harris on Yahya Sinwar’s Elimination: ‘Justice Has Been Served’

Washington DC [US], October 18, 2024: After the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris declared that “justice has been served,” emphasizing the importance of eliminating the threat posed by Hamas to Israel. Harris, who is also the Democratic candidate for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, expressed hope that this development would bring relief to the families of victims.

“Today, Israel confirmed that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, is dead, and justice has been served. The United States, Israel, and the entire world are better off as a result,” Harris said. “He had American blood on his hands. Today, I can only hope that the families of the victims of Hamas feel a sense and measure of relief.”

Labeling Sinwar as the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attacks on Israel last year, Harris commended the close collaboration between U.S. and Israeli forces in tracking down Hamas leaders. “Sinwar was the mastermind of October 7, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” she noted. “In the past year, American special operations and intelligence personnel have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts to locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders. I commend their work.”

Reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself, Harris sent a stern message to terrorists. “I will say to any terrorist who kills Americans, threatens the American people, or threatens our troops or our interests, know this – we will always bring you to justice. Israel has a right to defend itself, and the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated,” she said.

Harris also underscored the significance of Sinwar’s elimination, describing it as a pivotal moment that could end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. “Hamas is decimated, and its leadership is eliminated. This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination,” she stated.

Earlier, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, confirmed Sinwar’s elimination by the IDF, calling it a “major military and moral achievement.” He expressed hope that this would lead to the immediate release of hostages and a new reality in Gaza. “Sinwar’s elimination opens the door for the immediate release of the hostages and paves the way for the end of Hamas’ rule,” Katz said.

U.S. President Joe Biden also hailed the operation, describing it as a “good day” for Israel and the world. Drawing a parallel to the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011, Biden said, “No terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes.”

The conflict in Gaza reignited after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, when approximately 2,500 terrorists breached the border, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the abduction of more than 250 individuals. Following the attack, Israel launched a robust counter-offensive against Hamas, pledging to dismantle the entire organization while minimizing civilian casualties.