Hamas Chief, Yahya Sinwar (file photo)
Jerusalem: Even after the death of its leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas has not accepted defeat. This organization has refused to immediately release the Israeli hostages even after Sinwar’s death. He has said that he will not release the hostages until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier on Friday, Hamas confirmed the death of its leader Yahya Sinwar in an attack by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The extremist organization reiterated its stance that the people taken hostage by Israel a year ago will not be released until there is a ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. A day before this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the country’s army will continue fighting until the hostages are released and will remain deployed in Gaza to weaken Hamas. This stance of both sides indicates that neither is close to ending the conflict.
America had called Sinwar’s death a turning point
US President Joe Biden and other world leaders have said Sinwar’s death is a turning point that should be used to restart stalled ceasefire talks. “Those prisoners will not be returned to you until the attacks in Gaza end and the troops withdraw from Gaza,” said Qatar-based Sinwar warlord Khalil al-Hayya. Led the group’s delegation during several rounds of ceasefire talks. Hamas in the statement described Sinwar as a hero and said that “he emerged as a brave martyr, moving forward and not retreating, brandishing his weapons, confronting and confronting the occupying forces on the front lines.” ”
The equation of war may change in Gaza
Sinwar’s death in an encounter with Israeli soldiers on Wednesday could change the equation of the Gaza war. Israel, on the other hand, is continuing its offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon with ground troops and airstrikes in other areas of the country. Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel almost every day since the Israel-Hamas war began. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are supported by Iran, which described Sinwar as a martyr who could inspire others to challenge Israel. Israel has vowed to politically destroy Hamas in Gaza and killing Sinwar was a top priority for the military.
How many hostages are there in Gaza now?
Hamas had taken about 238 Israeli people hostage. There are currently about 100 hostages in Gaza and according to Israel, about 30 hostages have been killed. Meanwhile, Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah vowed on Friday to launch a new phase of fighting against Israeli troops. Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement paying tribute to Sinwar, saying that unlike Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, he was killed on the battlefield, not in hiding. While Saddam Hussein was hanged. (Language)
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