After reports that the IDF has killed October 7th mastermind Yahya Sinwar, Democratic Majority for Israel Co-Chairs Ann Lewis and Todd Richman made the following statement:
“Yahya Sinwar and the terrorist group Hamas which he led are responsible for the October 7th, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 Israelis, left thousands more injured, and resulted in 250 people being taken hostage in Gaza.
“Sinwar was the mastermind of this barbaric attack — the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust — and bears full responsibility for the ensuing war that has caused the devastation, death, and destruction that has followed over the past year.
“Even before October 7th, Sinwar had a long and murderous career. He helped found Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, which targeted Israeli civilians with suicide bombings and rocket launches. Palestinians dubbed him “The Butcher of Khan Younis” for his brutality against his own people.
“As history will record, the terrorist Yahya Sinwar has blood on his hands — Israeli, American, Palestinian, and that of victims of 36 different nationalities killed on October 7th. We hope that his death brings some measure of justice to the victims of his atrocities.
“We are hopeful now that his death will intensify pressure on Hamas to free the approximately 100 remaining hostages, including seven Americans, and prompt Hamas to finally accept the Biden-Harris ceasefire deal that would halt further devastation and usher in a new chapter that works towards peace in the region.”
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