According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli troops assassinated the 62-year-old Hamas leader in southern Gaza on Wednesday. Drone footage that the Israeli military said captured his last moments was also made public.
His passing represents a turning point in the year-long conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. In Israel, militants killed almost 1,200 people and abducted 250 more.
The US and other Western nations claimed that the passing of the man thought to be the attack’s mastermind presented a chance for a ceasefire.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, declared that “this is the start of the day after Hamas,” but he also stated that the conflict would continue until the captives were freed.
“We have resolved the matter today,” Mr. Netanyahu declared.
Even though evil was given a blow today, we haven’t finished our mission yet.
This is a critical point in the conflict, I tell the beloved prisoner families. Until all of your loved ones, as well as our loved ones, return home, we will keep going full force.
