Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza “may represent a fundamental turning point” and renewed calls for the return of hostages, humanitarian support and a ceasefire.
Australian politicians, including opposition leader Peter Dutton, subsequently responded in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday (local time).
There was no immediate comment from Hamas, but sources in the militant group said indications from Gaza suggested Sinwar was killed in an Israeli operation.
In a post on X, Albanese said Sinwar “was a terrorist and the architect of the atrocities committed on October 7.”
“He was an enemy of the Israeli people and an enemy of peace-loving peoples around the world. His death is a significant moment and can be a vital turning point in this devastating conflict,” Albanese said Friday morning.
“Australia joins the international community in renewing our call for the return of hostages, urgent humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and a ceasefire that will break the cycle of violence and put the region on the path to a lasting solution to two states.”
“A great day for the Middle East and the world”
Dutton said Sinwar’s death should be celebrated “as a great day for the Middle East and the world.”
“The world is a safer place without evil terrorists like Yahya Sinwar,” he said in a post on X.
“He had the same contempt for the Israelis, as demonstrated by the atrocities of October 7, as he did for his own people, whom he used as human shields and kept impoverished in pursuit of his distorted worldview.
“Release the hostages now and celebrate his death as a great day for the Middle East and the world.”
Sinwar was considered aduring which, according to Israeli counts, around 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage.
It sparked the offensive in Gaza that, according to the local health authority, has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians. .
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Sinwar’s death had “extinguished an ugly flame of vicious terrorism”.
“We hope that his death brings some justice to the families of those killed or kidnapped on October 7,” he said in a statement.
“Not only was Yahya Sinwar responsible for the brutal killings of Israelis, but also for the tragedy that engulfed Palestinians as Hamas leaders and operatives like him hid among and under innocent civilians.”
He called for the release of all hostages, the surrender of “remaining terrorist capabilities” and the guarantee of a ceasefire.
“We will continue with all our strength,” says Benjamin Netanyahu
Some Western leaders said Sinwar’s death offered an opportunity to end the war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that it is not over and that Israel will continue until the hostages are returned.
“Today we have settled the score. Today evil has suffered a heavy blow, but our task is not yet completed,” Netanyahu said in a video-recorded statement.
“To the dear families of hostages, I say: this is an important moment in the war. We will continue to work with all our might until all your loved ones, our loved ones, are home.”
The conflict in the Middle East has widened, with Israel launching a ground campaign in Lebanon over the past month. He also promised to fight back ally of Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said: “This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel.”
In Israel, families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza said they hoped for a ceasefire now to bring the prisoners home, but also feared their loved ones were in greater danger.
In Gaza, residents said they believed the war would continue but clung to the hope of self-determination.
With further reporting from the Reuters news agency.
