Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced on Friday that it was entering a more intense phase in its conflict with Israel. Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack that led to the ongoing Gaza war, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Wednesday.
Western leaders viewed his death as a potential step toward ending the conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted the war would continue until all hostages taken by Hamas were released.
"Today we have settled the score. Evil has been dealt a blow, but our mission is not yet complete," Netanyahu declared in a video, highlighting the ongoing nature of the operation. He reassured the families of the hostages, pledging to keep fighting until all captives were safely returned.
Sinwar, who became the head of Hamas after the assassination of political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, had been hiding in Hamas' tunnel network under Gaza. He was killed in a gunfight with Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, though the troops were initially unaware they had captured Israel's most wanted figure.
Israeli forces released drone footage showing Sinwar in a destroyed building, covered in dust. Although Hamas has not issued an official response, internal sources indicated that signs suggest Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces.
Sinwar's death may escalate tensions in the Middle East, with Israel launching a ground campaign in Lebanon and planning a response to Iran's Oct. 1 missile attack.
U.S. President Biden, who congratulated Netanyahu, sees Sinwar's death as an opportunity for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, though Iran and Hezbollah remain defiant, vowing to intensify resistance.
Families of Israeli hostages acknowledged Sinwar's death as significant but said it is incomplete while hostages remain in Gaza. Avi Marciano, father of a victim, called Sinwar’s death " a little justice, but no comfort" until the remaining hostages return home.
In Gaza, Palestinian Thabet Amour stated that Sinwar's assassination would not end the resistance or lead to surrender.
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A Hezbollah official says the group will not act independently in response to Israeli strikes on Iran, expressing solidarity with Tehran but stopping short of direct retaliation.
The Lebanese government has firmly warned Hezbollah against participating in Iran’s retaliation against Israel, signaling a sharp rebuke of any unilateral military action by the group.
The U.S. has pressured Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, urging the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enforce a ceasefire. The LAF, caught between U.S. demands and Hezbollah’s influence, risks losing vital U.S. support if it fails to act.
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