West Asia crisis: Hezbollah to escalate war with Israel after killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
West Asia crisis: A look at the top updates.
Iran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said on Friday (Oct 18) that itwas moving to a new and escalating phase in its war against Israel whileIran said "the spirit of resistance will be strengthened" after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar was the mastermind behind Hamas'October 7, 2023, attack against Israel that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. He was killedduring an operation by Israeli soldiers in the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted one year ago when the Iranian-backed group began launching rockets at northern Israel in support of Hamasat the start of the Gaza war.
'A transition to a new phase in confrontation with Israel'
On Friday, Hamas announced"the transition to a new and escalating phase in the confrontation with Israel," the news agency Reuters reported.
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Iran indicated that no sign of the killing would shift its support. "The spirit of resistance will be strengthened" following the death of Sinwar, its mission to the United Nations said.
'Sinwar's death offers an opportunity for war to end'
Meanwhile, Western leaders including US Vice President and currentDemocratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris said that while Sinwar's deathoffered an opportunity for the conflict to end, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that the war in Gazawould go on until the hostages seized by Hamas militants were returned.
"Today we have settled the score. Today evil has been dealt a blow but our task has still not been completed," Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a recorded video statement after the death was confirmed on Thursday.
Also watch | WION Pulse: Who is Yahya Sinwar, Hamas Chief killed in Gaza strike?
"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," he added.
Sinwar's death came months after Hamas' then-political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July. Following Haniyeh's death, Sinwar was named the overall leader of the Palestinian militant group.
(With inputs from agencies)