‘Ugly flame’: Australia reacts to Hamas chief’s killing

The terrorist leader’s killing has sparked hopes in Australia that the year-long war in Gaza may finally come to an end.

The Albanese government has welcomed Israel’s killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar as an opportunity for peace, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying the terrorist leader’s death “must enable the end of the war” in the Middle East.

Israeli forces killed Sinwar, the architect of Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks last year, in southern Gaza on Wednesday (local time), Israeli defence officials said.

They said his identity was confirmed with forensic tests.

Minister Wong said on Friday that “Sinwar was a terrorist whose actions caused untold suffering”.

Yahya Sinwar replaced Ismail Haniyeh as Hamas’s leader in August after his predecessor was killed in a blast in Iran’s capital Tehran. Picture: Mahmud Hams / AFP

IDF soldiers carry the body of a man believed to be Sinwar on a stretcher en route to Israel from Gaza. Picture: Supplied

“His violent career as the leader of Hamas culminated in the single most devastating slaughter of Jewish people since the Holocaust,” she said.

“His death must enable the end of the war.”

Anthony Albanese said it was “a significant moment and can be a vital turning point in this devastating conflict.”

“Australia joins with the international community in renewing our call for the return of the 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 an enduring a two-state solution,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there is an opportunity for peace. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the conflict in the Middle East must end. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Albanese government’s calls echo those of the Biden administration and European governments, all of which have made hopeful remarks that peace may be on the horizon.

But addressing Sinwar’s killing in a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahyu pledged to continue fighting.

“Today we have settled the score. Today evil has been dealt a blow, but our task has still not been completed,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“To the dear hostage families, I say this is an important moment in the war. We will continue full force until all your loved ones, our loved ones, are home.”

About 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.

With most of Hamas’ ranking members dead, the Palestinian militants’ ability to strike Israel has been severely curbed.

But threats from Hamas’ allies in the region remain, including Islamist group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Following news of Sinwar’s death, Hezbollah said in a statement it was beginning “a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel”.

It said it had killed 55 Israeli military personnel and wounded 500 more since Israel launched ground incursions in Lebanon this month.

The Israeli government has vowed to continue striking Hezbollah until residents displaced by shelling of civilian areas in Israel’s north can return to their homes.

‘UGLY FLAME’

Both the Albanese government and the Coalition have issued scathing remarks on Sinwar. with Mr Albanese calling him a “terrorist” and an “enemy of the Israeli people”.

Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham has reacted to Sinwar’s death by saying an “ugly flame of vicious terrorism has been extinguished”.

“No decent person should mourn the death of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Hopefully, his death provides some justice to the families of those killed or taken on October 7.

“Not only was Yahya Sinwar responsible for the brutal killings of Israelis but also the tragedy that has engulfed Palestinians as Hamas leaders and operatives like him have hidden among and beneath innocent civilians.”

Hamas leader Yahya 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 people everywhere. His death is a significant moment and can be a vital turning point in this devastating…

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 17, 2024

Senator Birmingham said he wished the “elimination of another Iranian sponsored terrorist leader” took the Middle East a step closer to peace.

“Hamas should use this moment to release all hostages, surrender remaining terrorist capabilities and secure a ceasefire,” he said.

Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham says an ‘ugly flame of vicious terrorism has been extinguished’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Hamas killed 1200 people and took hundreds more hostage in its unprecedented assault on Israel last year.

Entire families were slaughtered and witnesses gave horrific reports of torture and sexual violence.

Much of the brutality was captured in videos that flooded social media and was celebrated by militants.

The ensuing Israeli response has killed upwards of 40,000 in Gaza and displaced almost the entire population of the Palestinian territory.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said Hamas’s goals on October 7 to leave Israel “crippled” had failed.

“Today, Sinwar and virtually all of Hamas’s leaders are dead,” he said.

“Hamas is reduced to small batches of terrorists incapable of waging war or ruling Gaza. Only Hezbollah materially joined the Hamas war and its leader is also dead.”