JNS
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised immunity to terrorists who lay down their weapons and hand over Israeli hostages.
"Evil has suffered a severe blow," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday night following the confirmation of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar's death in a southern Gaza shootout.
"The man who committed the most terrible massacre in the history of our people since the Holocaust, the mass murderer who murdered thousands of Israelis and kidnapped hundreds of our citizens, was eliminated today by our heroic troops," the prime minister said.
Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in the northwestern Negev, was shot dead on Wednesday by Israel Defense Forces troops in southern Gaza's Rafah area, the army confirmed earlier on Thursday.
The Palestinian terrorist leader "was eliminated after hiding for the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip," according to the IDF.
Netanyahu noted in his taped video statement on Thursday evening that "one year ago, we celebrated Sukkot. At that exact time, Yahya Sinwar was engaged in the final preparations for the Oct. 7 massacre.
"To the dear families of the hostages, I say: This is an important moment in the war. We will continue with all our strength until all your loved ones—who are our loved ones—return home," the premier continued.
Netanyahu called on "everyone who holds our hostages" in the Strip to lay down their weapons and hand over the captives, promising that the Israeli military will allow terrorists who surrender to "leave and live."
"Now it is clear to everyone, in Israel and throughout the world, why we insisted on not ending the war," the longtime Israeli leader continued. "Why we insisted, despite all the pressure, to enter Rafah, the fortified stronghold of Hamas where Sinwar and many of the murderers hid."
In a separate statement, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted that the Sinwar "joins a long series of eliminations," including that of Hamas "military" leader Mohammed Deif and Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah.
“Sinwar died while beaten, persecuted and on the run. He didn’t die as a commander, but as someone who only cared for himself. This is a clear message to all of our enemies—the IDF will reach anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of Israel or our security forces, and we will bring you to justice," Gallant said in a statement released by his office.
Addressing Palestinian terrorists, he continued: "It is time to go out, release the hostages, raise your hands, surrender. Go out with the hostages, free them, and surrender," Gallant concluded.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi issued a statement on Thursday night after he met with the soldiers who killed Sinwar.
"The troops acted correctly, with professionalism and determination—not because they knew Sinwar was there, but because our soldiers excel in every encounter with terrorists, in all sectors," Halevi said.
"The boldness, determination and bravery of IDF troops operating in all arenas led us to him and brought about his end. We said we would get to him, and indeed, we got to him," the general continued.
"We will not stop until we capture all the terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and bring all the hostages home," he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog likewise stressed that "we must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
"I commend the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet and the security services for eliminating the arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar," the head of state said on social media. "Sinwar, the mastermind behind the deadly October 7th attack, has for years been responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the murder of thousands of innocent people. His evil endeavors were dedicated to terror, bloodshed and destabilizing the Middle East."
