Oklahoma Lawmakers Respond To Death Of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

The Biden administration and members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation are hopeful Thursday's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces could help end the war in Gaza. Oklahoma Senator James Lankford is calling it a "major step towards peace."

An Israeli drone captured Sinwar's final moments of life Thursday, more than a year after the attack he planned plunged Israel and Hamas into a war that has left tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruin.

"While this is not the end of the war in Gaza," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "it's the beginning of the end."

In Berlin, Germany to meet with European leaders, President Biden Friday said Sinwar's death represents a "moment of justice," and presents Israel with an opportunity.

"I told the prime minister yesterday," Biden said, "let's also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas."

Yahya Sinwar's death is something many saw coming, or at least saw as necessary. Senator Lankford met with Israeli leaders earlier this year and, in an interview at the Capitol last month, said he understood, from their perspective, what had to happen for the hostilities in Gaza to end.

"They've still got to get their hostages home," said Lankford (R-OK), "and they've still got to get Sinwar that actually started this war for Hamas."

In a social media post on Thursday, Lankford called Sinwar's death "good news."

"He was the mastermind of the brutal and unprovoked October 7 terror attack on Israel," the post continued, "the militant who used innocent people as shields, and the biggest impediment to ending the war in Gaza by refusing to negotiate the release of hostages.”

Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK3) also commented on X (Twitter): "The world is a better place without Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist behind the brutal October 7th attacks."

And Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK1) put out a statement that read, in part: "His elimination marks a significant blow against terror and a step toward justice."

Hamas's deputy chief struck a defiant tone on Friday, insisting that none of the remaining hostages -- it's believed there are still about 100 -- will be released until there is a cease-fire and Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed to the Middle East, as cease-fire talks are expected to resume next week.