Iran's Khamenei vows Hamas resilience after Sinwar's death

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated on October 19 that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would not halt the “resistance front,” asserting that Hamas will continue to exist.

Khamenei described Sinwar as a significant symbol of resistance and jihad, highlighting his steadfastness against adversaries, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

He acknowledged the pain of losing such a leader but emphasized that the resistance front has historically persevered following the deaths of other prominent figures like Ahmed Yassin and Ismail Haniyeh. “Hamas is alive and will continue to thrive. We will stand firmly alongside the fighters,” he declared.

High-ranking Hamas spokesman Bassem Naim called Sinwar’s elimination “painful and disturbing” but stressed that Hamas would ultimately prevail. He noted that the organization has only grown stronger and more popular since the removal of previous leaders, countering the notion that eliminating leadership would weaken the Palestinian struggle.

Yahya Sinwar, whom Israel viewed as the chief architect of the October 7, 2023, terror attack that escalated the conflict in Gaza, was killed by Israeli forces on October 17, 2024. Many Western leaders hope that his death may signal a turning point in the conflict and facilitate the release of over 100 hostages held by Hamas.

In response to Sinwar's death, US President Joe Biden praised the Israel Defense Forces, describing it as a “good day for Israel, the United States, and the world.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled Sinwar as “the mastermind behind the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust,” while French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences for the victims of the October 7 attacks and demanded the release of all hostages.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to Sinwar’s death as the end of a “reign of terror” and called for an immediate ceasefire, while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Sinwar as a “brutal murderer” and reiterated calls for the release of hostages.

By Tamilla Hasanova