Hamas chief’s loss of life creates likelihood for ceasefire, US Defense Secretary says

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BRUSSELS: The United States doubled down on Friday (Oct 18) on requires a ceasefire in Gaza and the discharge of hostages following the death of Hamas’ leader Yahya Sinwar, at the same time as Israel and its enemies Hamas and Hezbollah vowed to maintain combating in Gaza and Lebanon.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sinwar’s killing by Israeli forces was a major achievement, given his function because the architect of final 12 months’s Hamas’s cross-border assault on Israel that triggered the battle.

His loss of life, Austin mentioned, “removes a huge obstacle.”

“Sinwar’s death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting ceasefire, to end this awful war, and to rush humanitarian aid into Gaza,” Austin advised a press convention at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

His feedback adopted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to maintain combating, telling Israelis that the killing offered a chance to “stop the axis of evil.”

Asked about Netanyahu’s remarks and whether or not Israel was maybe lacking a chance, Austin mentioned: “Of course there is (an opportunity) and we would hope we can work together to take advantage of that opportunity.”

“Clearly there are opportunities for a change in direction, and we would hope that parties would take advantage of that, both in Gaza and in Lebanon,” he mentioned, with out straight addressing Netanyahu’s remarks.

Austin mentioned the highest precedence was securing the discharge of the hostages nonetheless being held by Hamas, together with Americans.

“They have been through hell, and so have their families,” Austin mentioned. “Those who are holding hostages should release them immediately.”

Hamas said hostages would only be released with a halt of hostilities in Gaza, an Israeli withdrawal and the discharge of its prisoners.

Israel’s authorities has rejected a number of makes an attempt by its most important ally the US at brokering ceasefires in each Gaza and Lebanon, urgent on with its wars.

Israel’s arch-foe and the militants’ most important backer Iran additionally mentioned Sinwar’s loss of life would solely gasoline “the spirit of resistance”.

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