DETROIT, Mich. – Former President Donald Trump said on Friday that the leader of Hamas had died Yahya Sinvar It will “make it easier” to end the war in Gaza, echoing the sentiments of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in their first public speeches on the issue.
Trump’s comments came in response to a question from NBC News about whether peace would be easier or harder to achieve after Sinwar’s death. The former president said: “I think it makes it easier.” He did not respond when asked for further details on this review.
“My reaction is that he was not a good person. This is my reaction,” he added. “Sometimes it happens.”
NBC News has reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment.
Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind behind the attacks on Israel around October 7, 2023. 1200 people were killed, and about 250 were taken hostage. He was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, according to Israeli officials, but his death was not confirmed until Thursday.
more than 42,000 people According to local health officials, they were killed in Gaza during Israeli offensive after offensive.
Trump’s comments largely echo those of Biden and Harris.
“Justice has been served and the United States, Israel and the world are better off for Sinwar’s death,” Harris said Thursday.
“This moment gives us the opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end so that Israel is safe, the hostages are freed, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security and freedom. and self-determination,” Harris said.
Biden did similar comments to journalists on Friday during his visit to Germany.
Sinwar “had the blood of Americans, Israelis, Palestinians and Germans and many others on his hands.”
Biden said that after Sinwar’s death, he told Netanyahu, “Let’s use this moment as an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas.”
Isabelle Schmeler, Nnamdi Egwuonwu, Aaron Gilchrist and Carlo Angerer contributed.