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Biden, Harris say Hamas leader's death could help end Gaza war

2024-10-18 07:27:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar set the stage for the return of Israeli hostages and an end to the war in Gaza.

The killing of Yahya Sinwari, the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the Gaza war by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, marks a major success for Israel and a milestone in the year-long conflict.

"Now is the time to move forward. Go ahead, move toward a ceasefire in Gaza, make sure we're moving in a direction where we're going to be able to make things better for the whole world," President Biden told reporters after arrival in Germany, after having a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It's time for this war to end and the hostages to return home. So that's what we're ready to do."

Asked if he felt more hopeful about a cease-fire, President Biden said he did, and said the war would end, "hopefully very soon."

President Biden said he would send his top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to Israel for four or five days and that talks would include post-war Gaza arrangements. "We will work on... how tomorrow will be. How to secure Gaza and move forward," he said.

After months of on and off, ceasefire negotiations have been unsuccessful and have shown no sign of movement for several weeks.

After the death of Yahya Sinwar, which US officials say was the main obstacle to the talks, Washington will "redouble" efforts on the ceasefire proposal, the State Department said. But Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has also at times been accused of delays in reaching a deal, said on Thursday that the fight would continue. In a statement from his office, after the conversation with President Biden, it is said that the two leaders agreed that the death of Yahya Sinwari has created an opportunity to push for the release of the hostages in Gaza and that they will work together to achieve this goal. .

According to the White House during the call they "discussed how to use this moment to bring the hostages home and end the war, with Israel's security guaranteed and a Hamas that will never again be able to control Gaza." .

Speaking on the premises of an electoral campaign for this year's presidential election, Vice President Harris reinforced this point.

"This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end so that Israel is safe, the hostages are freed, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their his right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination. And it's time for a tomorrow without Hamas in power," said Vice President Harris. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington would now "redouble" efforts on a proposal "that has been on the table for some time."

Secretary of State Blinken has already spoken to the foreign ministers of Qatar and Saudi Arabia about ending the war and post-war agreements on Gaza, Mr. Miller said.

"We see an opportunity now that we want to take to secure the release of the hostages," said President Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. "We will have to work to make sure that his death really gives Hamas the kind of lasting blow that we would all like to see."/ Voa