Hamas has confirmed the death of its leader Yahya Sinwar‚ killed by Israeli forces a few days ago The group vowed to keep fighting‚ stating that Sinwars death “will only increase the strength and resolve of Hamas and our resistance“ according to Khalil al-Hayya Sinwars deputy (who lives in Qatar)
Hamas demands a truce deal including Israels complete withdrawal from Gaza and release of Palestinian prisoners. Bassem Naim‚ a Hamas political bureau member‚ said Israel is wrong to think “killing our leaders means the end of our movement and the struggle of the Palestinian people“
Sinwar was killed in a shootout with Israeli forces in southern Gaza – they didnt realize theyd killed Hamasʼs top leader until after. He was a main planner of Hamasʼs attack on Israel about a year ago‚ which killed around 1200 people and took roughly 250 hostages
Joe Biden called Sinwars death “a good day for the world“ and urged moving towards a cease-fire. However Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war effort‚ calling Sinwars killing a “great opportunity to stop the axis of evil“ (Iran and its allies)
Israel is adding more reservists to fight on the Lebanon border. Irans president said Sinwar died “like a hero“‚ and Hezbollah announced a “new and escalating phase“ in its fight with Israel – planning to use new weapons like guided missiles and explosive drones
Its unclear whoʼll replace Sinwar. Experts think a political leader outside Gaza might take over‚ with Sinwars younger brother possibly directing the war from inside Gaza. Hayya or Khaled Mashal could be potential successors
In other news‚ South Korea accused North Korea of sending 1500 special forces to Russia for training before fighting in Ukraine. Seoul used AI to identify North Korean officers in Russian-occupied Ukraine‚ disguised as Russian troops
The US has charged a former Indian intelligence officer‚ Vikash Yadav‚ with planning an assassination in New York last year. This comes after Canada linked Indias top diplomat to a Sikh activists killing in British Columbia last June
Lastly‚ Donald Trump blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for starting Russias war with Ukraine‚ saying “he should never have let that war start“ This suggests a second Trump administration might not support Kyiv as much as Biden has