US military chief hails Israel’s claimed killing of Hamas chief
General Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has lauded Israel’s military for its claimed killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
In a post on social media, the CENTCOM commander congratulated the Israeli military and said US support “remains ironclad”. “Those who choose the path of terrorism should expect the same fate as Sinwar,” Kurilla added.
Starmer says Britain ‘won’t mourn’ Sinwar, Italy’s Meloni says death clears way for ‘new phase’
Britain’s Prime Minister said slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was the “mastermind behind the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust”, referring to the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
“Today my thoughts are with the families of those victims. The UK will not mourn his death,” Keir Starmer said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Sinwar’s killing by Israeli forces on Thursday paved the way for a “new phase” of the conflict.
“With the death of Yahya Sinwar, the person principally responsible for the October 7 attacks no longer exists,” she said. “I am convinced that a new phase should be launched: it is time for all the hostages to be released, for a ceasefire to be immediately proclaimed and for the reconstruction of Gaza to begin,” she added.
Berlin pushes for ceasefire after death of Hamas leader Sinwar
The death of Yahya Sinwar must lead to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all remaining captives, spokespeople for the German government said.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had concluded during a meeting with her US counterpart earlier that “this could be a turning point in order to reach a ceasefire, free the hostages and get more aid into Gaza,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said during a regular news conference.
A government spokesperson said he could not comment on who might succeed Sinwar as the leader of Hamas, but “it is true that there must and should be a ceasefire and a solution to these issues.”
EU leaders discuss war in Gaza and Ukraine – fail to reach a consensus
EU leaders have called for an immediate end to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday. The leaders also discussed a plan presented by Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, which he says will bring an end to the war with Russia.
Western leaders arming Israel speak of ‘momentum for ceasefire'
It is very clear that not only US President Joe Biden but also other leaders he’s meeting here today are all calling this momentum right now – the killing of Yahya Sinwar – a momentum for a ceasefire.
Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are also meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Also present is Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who Biden said yesterday will go to Israel and the region very soon to speed up possible ceasefire talks.
And just an hour ago or so, the spokesperson of the White House, John Kirby, was slightly more optimistic. He said this is a unique momentum. He said Hamas is very much weakened right now and that Israel doesn’t have this immediate threat coming from Hamas militarily after Sinwar’s death.
Earlier, during a press conference, Scholz reiterated his fully support for Israel, saying Germany stands by Israel. It comes after saying a few days ago that his country will resume and remain sending weapons to Israel.
The US and Germany are the largest suppliers of weapons. So if there will be some kind of joint effort coming towards these ceasefire talks, we all have to see.
