Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding the death of Yahya Sinwar, the military leader of the Hamas terrorist group, and a chief architect of the October 7th, 2023 massacre.

"Yahya Sinwar was a terrorist who murdered countless innocent civilians and the primary architect of the October 7th massacre, responsible for the killing of over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, and the kidnapping of more than 250 hostages. I pray that his death can bring some measure of peace and closure for the families of the victims of his countless atrocities.

"With Sinwar's death a stated aim of the war in Gaza has been met. The war must finally end. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, must abandon their refusal to negotiate a ceasefire, and work to return the remaining hostages, as the Israeli people themselves have been demanding for months.

"The war waged in response to Sinwar's egregious attack has claimed the lives of at least 42,000 Palestinians (with some estimates ranging as high as 4.5 times that amount). The majority of these dead are innocent women and children. A recent study by Oxfam found that more women and children have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military over the past year than the equivalent period of any other conflict over the past two decades.

"There has been incalculable suffering in the Middle East since Hamas's attack. Israelis, Palestinians, and everyone caught in the crossfire has been forced to endure unrelenting tragedy. De-escalation, diplomacy, and peace are the only path forward.

"I will continue to pray for, and work towards, a swift and lasting resolution to this horrible conflict."