WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, October 17, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer released the following statement on the death of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar:

“On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and kidnapped more than a thousand innocent babies, children, women, men, and elderly, including forty-six Americans. Seven Americans are still being held hostage. 

Today, Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist behind the heinous October 7 attack, the architect of evil, has been brought to justice. Thanks to IDF forces, the world is safer today. This is exactly why I always say that Israel is a key partner in the global fight against terror.

Sinwar’s reign of terror did not begin on October 7. For years, under Sinwar’s orders, countless Americans, Israelis, Palestinians, and civilians from nations across the globe have been the victims of Hamas’s senseless acts of violence, torture, death, and destruction. Sinwar’s strategy of using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields is directly responsible for the deaths of countless men, women, and children. He put weapon stashes under schools, tunnels under homes, and bunkers beneath hospitals.

Sinwar’s death is only the beginning of justice for the families of those brutally murdered and taken hostage on October 7 — the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Still, 101 hostages, including seven Americans, are in Hamas captivity. Moving forward, we must reaffirm our commitment to bringing all of the hostages home, including my constituent, Eden Alexander. As long as Iranian-backed terrorist groups continue to threaten Israel and America’s safety, we must stand with our greatest democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel. 

Sinwar’s death — as the leader of a terrorist organization — should serve as a moment for our international organizations, including the United Nations and countries across the globe, to stand with Israel and recommit to ensuring she can defend herself from those that seek its demise and destruction. Iran is the parent company of global terror, and its leaders want one thing — to destroy our democracy and undermine America’s freedom and way of life.”

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