WASHINGTON—This morning, The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and three other militants after an exchange of fire amid a routine patrol in Gaza. Sinwar was appointed to lead Hamas in August after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeah in Tehran. He was the architect of the heinous October 7 terror attacks on Israel, which resulted in more than 1,200 casualties and dozens of hostages who remain in captivity today.  

Heritage Vice President of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy Victoria Coates made the following statement in response to the death:

“Sinwar’s demise should be a decisive moment in this war. It is time for Hamas to surrender, lay down their arms, release the hostages, and end the conflict that has only brought misery and destitution to the Palestinian people.

“By every metric, Israel has won this conflict, and the world needs to recognize this reality.

“The United States will continue to stand by Israel and oppose all forms of terrorism.”  

Heritage Director of the Allison Center for National Security Robert Greenway added: 

“The elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar gets us one step closer to peace and stability in the Middle East and provides a measure of justice to the survivors and families mourning an unfathomable loss after the horrific terrorist attack of October 7th, 2023, which Sinwar planned and directed with Iran’s support.

“There is now an opportunity to move away from decades of conflict and suffering towards the return of the remaining hostages and peace.

“His elimination was inevitable and serves as a reminder that terrorists will not escape justice.”