DETROIT – Former President Donald Trump said Friday that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would make it “easier” to end the war in the Gaza Strip, echoing sentiments expressed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in his first public comments on the Gaza Strip. matter.
Trump’s comment came in response to a question from NBC News about whether achieving peace would be easier or harder after Sinwar’s death. The former president said, “I think it makes it easier.” He did not respond when asked for further details about this position.
“My response is that he was not a good person. That is my response,” he added. “That’s what happens sometimes.”
NBC News has contacted the Trump campaign for further comment.
Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Israeli officials said he was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, although his death was not confirmed until Thursday.
More than 42,000 people have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s ongoing offensive following the October 7 attacks, according to local health officials.
Trump’s comments are largely consistent with responses from Biden and Harris.
Harris said Thursday that “justice has been served and the United States, Israel and the entire world are better off as a result” of Sinwar’s death.
“This moment gives us the opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end in such a way that Israel is safe, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people enjoy their right to dignity, security and can achieve freedom. and self-determination,” Harris said.
Biden made similar comments to reporters on Friday during his trip to Germany.
Sinwar “had the blood of Americans and Israelis, Palestinians and Germans and so many others on his hands.”
Biden said that in the wake of Sinwar’s death, he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Let us also take this moment as an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
