The killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar on Thursday sparked widespread calls for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. His death is also seen as a significant opportunity to dismantle what remains of Hamas.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for the release of "all hostages" held by Hamas in Gaza after Israel said it had killed the militant group's leader Yahya Sinwar.
"Yahya Sinwar was the main person responsible for the terrorist attacks and barbaric acts of October 7," Macron posted on X. "France demands the release of all hostages still held by Hamas."
US President Joe Biden hailed the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a "good day" for the world, saying it also removed a key obstacle to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.
"This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world," Biden, who was traveling to Germany on Air Force One as the news broke, said in a written statement.
"There is now the opportunity for a 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike."
Germany's foreign minister urged Hamas to release all its hostages and lay down its weapons after Israel said it had killed the militant group's leader.
Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock in a statement branded Sinwar "a cruel murderer and a terrorist". She said Hamas should "immediately release all the hostages" it seized during its October 7 attack on Israel "and lay down its arms".
Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed Sinwar’s killing, saying his death should help "secure" the release of captives still in Gaza.
The Forum "welcomes Yahya Sinwar's elimination and urges leveraging this major achievement to secure hostages' return," it said in a statement.
War ‘not over’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Gaza war had not ended with the killing of Sinwar, while calling on militants to free hostages.
"The war... is not over yet. And it is difficult, and it exacts heavy prices from us," Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding in a message to Palestinians in Gaza: "Whoever lays down his weapon and returns our hostages -- we will allow him to go on living."
Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi hailed troops' killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, vowing to keep fighting until hostages are released and "all" militants involved in the October 7 attack are captured.
"We are settling the score with Sinwar, who is responsible for that very difficult day a year ago," Halevi said in a statement after visiting the site in Gaza where the Hamas chief was killed, adding: "We will not stop until we capture all the terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and bring all the hostages home."
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