The Pentagon mentioned the U.S. was in a roundabout way concerned within the alleged killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza on Thursday, whereas a number of leaders mentioned the demise of the chief might facilitate a cease-fire.
“This was an Israeli operation. U.S. forces were not directly involved,” Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder instructed reporters.
His remarks got here after the Israeli military spokesperson Avichae Adree introduced the killing of Sinwar within the Gaza Strip.
Ryder mentioned: “You know, again, as we’ve highlighted, we’ve had a small number of special operations forces that have been advising the Israelis on hostage recovery efforts, and again, as the President’s statement highlighted, that included working side by side with the Israeli counterparts to help locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders hiding in Gaza who’ve been holding people, to include Americans, hostage since Oct. 7 last year.”
The killing of Sinwar is “clearly a significant development and a major counterterrorism achievement,” he added.
Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to debate the studies on the killing of Sinwar and to get an replace.
“I would highlight that when the call occurred, the IDF (Israeli army) was still working to confirm Sinwar’s death,” Ryder mentioned, including that Austin will communicate with Gallant “at the earliest opportunity.”
In August, Sinwar grew to become Hamas’ political chief, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated within the Iranian capital Tehran after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president on July 31.
Joe Biden mentioned he had referred to as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the killing, including that he was “hopeful” about getting a Gaza cease-fire.
“I called Bibi Netanyahu to congratulate him on getting Sinwar. He had a lot of blood on his hands,” Biden instructed reporters after arriving in Germany. “Further, that now is the time to move on.”
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni additionally mentioned Thursday that the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar cleared the best way for a “new phase” within the lethal battle in Gaza.
“I am convinced that a new phase should be launched: it is time for all the hostages to be released, for a cease-fire to be immediately proclaimed and for the reconstruction of Gaza to begin.”
French President Emmanuel Macron additionally mentioned the demise of Hamas chief Sinwar supplied an important “opportunity” to finish Israel’s assaults in Gaza.
“We must seize this opportunity to secure the release of all hostages and for an end to finally be brought to the war,” Macron instructed reporters following EU summit talks in Brussels. “We must put an end to military operations.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com