ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — President Joe Biden declared on Thursday that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar at the hands of Israeli forces marks a “positive day for Israel, the United States, and the global community.” He referred to it as an “opportunity” to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza that has persisted for over a year.

In his remarks, Biden drew parallels to the sentiment in the United States following the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He emphasized that the demise of the individual behind the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel serves as proof that terrorists, regardless of their location, will ultimately face justice, irrespective of the time it might take.

The President expressed plans to engage with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other key Israeli officials to extend congratulations and deliberate on strategies for securing the release of hostages and putting an end to the conflict once and for all.

Biden indicated that Sinwar’s death opens the door for a potential future in Gaza without Hamas leading, hinting at the possibility of a political resolution that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians moving forward.

He commended U.S. special operations and intelligence personnel for their crucial role in assisting Israeli associates in tracking and pinpointing Sinwar and other Hamas figures over the previous year, while noting that the operation resulting in Sinwar’s death was carried out by Israeli forces.

Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, labeled Sinwar as a “significant barrier” to achieving peace. He remarked that Sinwar’s elimination from the equation offers a chance to create a pathway that could potentially return hostages to their families.