Netanyahu To People Of Gaza After Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar's Killing: 'This War Can End Tomorrow...'

Hours after Israel confirmed the death of Hamas chief and mastermind behind the October 7 attacks, Yahya Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the people of Gaza, stating that the war could end as soon as tomorrow if Hamas agrees to lay down its arms and release the hostages.

In a video shared on X, Netanyahu said, "Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israeli defence forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it's the beginning of the end. To the people of Gaza, I have a simple message - this war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages."

The Israel Defence Forces disclosed on Thursday that Sinwar, along with two other militants, had been killed by Israeli forces.

Netanyahu said that Hamas is currently holding 101 hostages in Gaza, representing citizens from 23 different nations, including Israel.

"Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza who are citizens of 23 countries, citizens of Israel, but citizens of many other countries. Israel is committed to doing everything in our power to bring all of them home. Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return our hostages," he said.

The Israeli Prime Minister also issued a stern warning to those holding Israeli hostages, promising that Israel would relentlessly track them down and bring them to justice.

"But to those who would harm our hostages, I have another message - Israel will hunt you down and bring you to justice," Netanyahu emphasised. He also spoke of hope for the region, saying, "The axis of terror that was built by Iran is collapsing before our eyes."

In his speech, Netanyahu highlighted the elimination of key Hezbollah figures, including Hassan Nasrallah, and asserted that the terror inflicted by the Iranian regime on its own people, and those in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, would come to an end.

"Nasrallah is gone, his deputy Mohsen is gone, Haniyeh is gone, Deif is gone, Sinwar is gone. The reign of terror that the Iranian regime has imposed on its own people and on the peoples of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, too will come to an end," Netanyahu declared.

He added, "All those who seek a future of prosperity and peace in the Middle East should unite to build a better future. Together, we can push back the forces of darkness and create a future of light and hope for all of us."

Hamas launched a brutal terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, with around 2,500 militants breaching the border from Gaza, killing more than 1,200 people, including citizens from over 30 countries, and taking more than 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched a powerful counter-offensive in Gaza, pledging to "completely eliminate" Hamas.

However, the rising civilian casualties have sparked global concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations and several major nations have repeatedly called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and greater humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.