Netanyahu says al-Sinwar's death paves way for a better future

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the death of Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar as a significant milestone, describing it as a sign of "the decline of the reign of evil by Hamas" in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu addressed the residents of the coastal strip in a video message on Thursday evening, stating that Sinwar had destroyed their lives.

He claimed that al-Sinwar, who portrayed himself as a lion, was in reality hiding in a dark cave and was eliminated while fleeing from Israeli soldiers.

Netanyahu reiterated that the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas would no longer rule in the Gaza Strip. He described this as "the beginning of the day after Hamas" and an opportunity for residents of the Gaza Strip to free themselves from the militia's oppressive rule.

Addressing the kidnappers in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli prime minister stated that those who lay down their arms and return the hostages would be allowed to "come out and survive." He warned, however, that they would "settle accounts" with anyone who harmed the hostages.

Hamas and other organizations in the Gaza Strip killed more than 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023, and abducted a further 250 to the Gaza Strip. The fate of around 100 hostages who are still in the custody of Hamas remains uncertain.

Netanyahu asserted that the return of the hostages would bring an end to the Gaza war nearer. He added that it was also an opportunity for the peoples of the region to "stop the axis of evil [headed by Iran] and bring about a different future."

He referred to a possible "future of peace and prosperity throughout the region."