'Somewhere in hell' he wishes he made a deal: Israeli, US figures react to news of Sinwar's death

Israeli officials celebrate the reported elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, hailing it as a significant blow to terrorism and a potential turning point for hostage negotiations.

By DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD, HANNAH SARISOHN, ELIAV BREUER
Updated: OCTOBER 18, 2024 02:46
A pro-Palestinian protester holds up a portrait of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar outside of a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in New York City, U.S., August 14, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/DAVID 'DEE' DELGADO)
A pro-Palestinian protester holds up a portrait of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar outside of a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in New York City, U.S., August 14, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/DAVID 'DEE' DELGADO)

The IDF’s Thursday announcement that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated in Gaza was met with celebration by several Israeli officials - with several stating that the leader was now in "hell" wishing he made a hostage deal when he had the chance.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, sharing photos of eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas terrorist Mohammed Deif, wrote on X/Twitter “You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword.” - Leviticus 26 Our enemies cannot hide. We will pursue and eliminate them.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid posted on X, saying "Israel should take advantage of the opportunity for a decisive move regarding the hostages."

"Strive for a comprehensive deal and also offer monetary rewards and safe passage to anyone who brings hostages to our forces."

Lapid later added "Yahya Sinwar was one of the world’s worst terrorists. He dedicated his life to an evil ideology of hatred and death. He was the embodiment of evil.

"His name belongs alongside Bin Laden and al-Baghdadi for the terror and misery they reaped on the world.

"Justice has been done."

Former government spokesperson Eylon Levy commented on X “It is possible that somewhere in hell, Yahya Sinwar is sitting with the whole of Hamas’ leadership, looking up and thinking they should have released the hostages when they had the chance.” 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated: "The Hostages Families Forum commends the security forces for eliminating Sinwar, who masterminded the worst massacre our country has ever faced, responsible for the murder of thousands and the abduction of hundreds.

"However, we express deep concern for the fate of the 101 men, women, elderly and children still held captive by Hamas in Gaza. We call on the Israeli government, world leaders, and mediating countries to leverage the military achievement into a diplomatic one by pursuing an immediate agreement for the release of all 101 hostages: the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial."

During Hamas's October 7 attacks, which were masterminded by Sinwar, terrorists abducted over 250 people and murdered more than 1200. While some of the hostages were released in a November deal, and others were rescued by the Israeli military, over 100 remain captive - a significant number of which are believed to have been killed. 

Israeli leadership has met with Qatari, American and numerous international parties in attempts to broker a new ceasefire deal - which Hamas has repeatedly refused, despite claiming that the war they started has created a high civilian death toll in the Gaza Strip.

“After Bin Laden was killed, his body was chucked in the sea. Just saying.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin called it "historic justice," and praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his "determined leadership" and insistence on invading Rafah, despite international pressure.

Minister-without-portfolio MK Gideon Sa'ar, also commended Netanyahu for "not bowing to pressure" to avoid entering Rafah, and nor heeding the advice of the "studio experts."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that "now is the time to increase the military pressure and step on the neck of the terror organization, until its total defeat."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Hamas members to return the hostages and surrender in exchange for the sparing of their lives. "After dozens of years, we are proving that there is a military solution to terror!"

National Unity chairman MK Benny Gantz said wrote on X that "circle had closed, but the mission is far from over." The IDF will continue operating "for years," and Israel should now take advantage of the "row of achievements and the killing of Sinwar" in order to bring back the hostages and replace Hamas as the governing power in Gaza.

Democrats chairman Yair Golan wrote, "Now there is only one thing left to do- return 101 [hostages], immediately!"

Israel's Chargé d'affaires to Spain Dan Poraz also commented on the reports, posting on X "The man who brought death and misery to millions, the mass murderer of Jews and Israelis, who destroyed Gaza, who brought disaster to the Palestinians, and refused to end the suffering and free our hostages—this man is dead. Yahya Sinwar is dead. May he forever burn in hell."

US officials also celebrated the reports of Sinwar’s death

“The world, in all likelihood, has been rid of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Representative Ritchie Torres wrote on X. “We are awaiting official confirmation of the status of Sinwar’s corpse rotting in hell where he belongs.”

Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX) Chair, House Foreign Relations Committee said, “Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was a brutal terrorist who masterminded the October 7 massacre and all of the death and destruction that followed. I congratulate Israel for having the courage to stand against his evil and for eliminating this violent madman—achieving a small measure of justice for his many, many victims, including dozens of American citizens.”

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the highest-ranking Republican on Senate Armed Services Committee, added, “Iran and its proxies should take note that in a matter of weeks, Israel has decapitated the senior leadership of Hezbollah and Hamas. The world is a safer place because Israel has proven what strong action against global terrorism should look like."

“Every time the Biden-Harris administration attempts to place conditions on Israel’s self-defense, they are weakening Israeli and American responses to terrorism. The only way that this war will end is with Israel’s victory and the defeat of Iran’s terrorist proxies. Israel’s removal of the architect of this war represents another key step toward eliminating these threats.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also commented, “The Israeli people – through their political leadership, the IDF and their intelligence services – have delivered a mighty blow to Hamas and Iran, and rendered some sense of justice with the elimination of Sinwar."

“The ultimate revenge against Iran and their terrorist proxies is to replace terrorism and hate with sustainable security, peace and prosperity for the region.” 

" Yahya Sinwar was responsible for the murder of thousands," Secretary Antony Blinken wrote, "The world is a better place with him gone."

"On multiple occasions, Sinwar rebuffed efforts by the U.S. and its partners to bring this war to a close," he continued, "In the days ahead, we will continue efforts with partners to end this conflict, secure the release of all hostages, and chart a new path forward."

"The death of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar brings a measure of justice to the thousands of victims of the October 7th attacks," former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wrote, "America continues to stand with the people of Israel to support the defeat of Hamas and freedom for the hostages."

Hours after the announcement, CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla made a post congratulating the IDF on the elimination.



Related Tags
Gaza
Yoav Gallant
Yahya Sinwar
Israel-Hamas War
Eylon Levy