‘Sinwar died beaten, persecuted and on the run’ – Following Hamas leader’s death, PM Netanyahu pushes for hostage release, offers amnesty

After confirming the death of Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas and the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 invasion and massacre, Israeli leaders pushed for the quick release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

“I call on everyone who holds our hostages: Whoever lays down his weapon and returns our hostages - we will allow him to go and live. And in the same way, I say: Whoever harms our hostages – his blood is on his head. We will reckon with him,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a televised message on Thursday evening.

“Citizens of Israel, a year ago we celebrated Sukkot. At that exact time, Yahya Sinwar was engaged in final preparations for the massacre on Oct. 7,” Netanyahu began in his remarks.

“I stand before you today to inform you that Yahya Sinwar has been eliminated.”

Sinwar was killed in a chance encounter on Wednesday night when IDF soldiers spotted armed terrorists in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. A tank strike was ordered on the building where Sinwar was hiding with two other men. The site was only inspected on Thursday morning, when the body of the terror leader was discovered.

Netanyahu described Sinwar as “the person who committed the most terrible massacre in the history of our nation since the Holocaust, the mass murderer who murdered thousands of Israelis and kidnapped hundreds of our citizens.”

He emphasized that securing the release of the hostages is now the nation's top priority.

“Now it is clear to everyone, in Israel and in the world, why we insisted on not ending the war. Why we insisted, in the face of all the pressures, on entering Rafah, the fortified stronghold of Hamas where Sinwar and many of the murderers hid,” the prime minister continued.

During his address, Netanyahu addressed people across the region, urging them to “repel the curse and promote the blessing” together with Israel.

“In Gaza, in Beirut, throughout the entire region – the darkness recedes and the light rises... I am calling you, people of the region: We have a great opportunity to stop the axis of evil and create a different future.”

In his statement, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed Netanyahu’s push for a quick release of the hostages.

Sinwar’s death is “a clear message to the residents of Gaza. The man who brought disaster and death to the Gaza strip, the man who made you suffer as a result of his murderous actions – the end of this man has come,” Gallant said.

“It is time to go out, release the hostages, [to those involved in fighting] raise your hands, surrender. Come out with the hostages, free them and surrender.”

Gallant also noted that Sinwar “died while beaten, persecuted and on the run – he didn’t die as a commander, but as someone who only cared for himself. This is a clear message to all of our enemies – the IDF will reach anyone who attempts to harm the citizens of Israel or our security forces, and we will bring you to justice.”

Like Netanyahu and Gallant, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised the security forces who brought about Sinwar’s elimination.

“Sinwar, the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attack, has for years been responsible for heinous acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the murder of thousands of innocent people. His evil endeavors were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilizing the Middle East.”

“Now, more than ever, we must act in every way possible to bring back the 101 hostages who are still being held in horrific conditions by Hamas terrorists in Gaza,” said Herzog.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi affirmed the death of Sinwar.

“After a long and determined pursuit that lasted an entire year, our forces eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the main person responsible for the criminal massacre of October 7 and the death and kidnapping of many Israelis.”

“I now met the force that eliminated him yesterday in the clashes in the Rafah area. The force acted correctly with professionalism and determination, not because it knew Sinwar was there, but because our fighters work with excellence in every encounter with terrorists, in all sectors,” Halevi noted.

“Israel will continue to persecute and eliminate anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel. We will not stop until we catch all the terrorists involved in Oct. 7 and return all the hostages home,” the general vowed.