'Somewhere in hell' he wishes he made a deal: Israeli figures react to news of Sinwar's death

The IDF’s Thursday announcement that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated in Gaza was met with celebration by several Israeli officials - with several stating that the leader was now in "hell" wishing he made a hostage deal when he had the chance.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, sharing photos of eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas terrorist Mohammed Deif, wrote on X/Twitter “You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword.” - Leviticus 26 Our enemies cannot hide. We will pursue and eliminate them.”

“You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword.” - Leviticus 26

Our enemies cannot hide. We will pursue and eliminate them. pic.twitter.com/FDJ7obPIM7

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) October 17, 2024

Opposition leader Yair Lapid posted on X, saying "Israel should take advantage of the opportunity for a decisive move regarding the hostages."

ישראל צריכה לנצל את ההזדמנות למהלך מכונן סביב החטופים. לחתור לעסקה כוללת וגם להציע פרסים כספיים ומעבר בטוח לכל מי שיביא לידי כוחותינו חטופים

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) October 17, 2024

"Strive for a comprehensive deal and also offer monetary rewards and safe passage to anyone who brings hostages to our forces."

Lapid later added "Yahya Sinwar was one of the world’s worst terrorists. He dedicated his life to an evil ideology of hatred and death. He was the embodiment of evil.

"His name belongs alongside Bin Laden and al-Baghdadi for the terror and misery they reaped on the world.

"Justice has been done."

Yahya Sinwar was one of the world’s worst terrorists. He dedicated his life to an evil ideology of hatred and death. He was the embodiment of evil.

His name belongs alongside Bin Laden and al-Baghdadi for the terror and misery they reaped on the world.

Justice has been done.

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) October 17, 2024

Former government spokesperson Eylon Levy commented on X “It is possible that somewhere in hell, Yahya Sinwar is sitting with the whole of Hamas’ leadership, looking up and thinking they should have released the hostages when they had the chance.” 

It is possible that somewhere in hell, Yahya Sinwar is sitting with the whole of Hamas’ leadership, looking up and thinking they should have released the hostages when they had the chance.

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) October 17, 2024

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated:

"The Hostages Families Forum commends the security forces for eliminating Sinwar, who masterminded the worst massacre our country has ever faced, responsible for the murder of thousands and the abduction of hundreds.However, we express deep concern for the fate of the 101 men, women, elderly and children still held captive by Hamas in Gaza. We call on the Israeli government, world leaders, and mediating countries to leverage the military achievement into a diplomatic one by pursuing an immediate agreement for the release of all 101 hostages: the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial."

During Hamas's October 7 attacks, which were masterminded by Sinwar, terrorists abducted over 250 people and murdered more than 1200. While some of the hostages were released in a November deal, and others were rescued by the Israeli military, over 100 remain captive - a significant number of which are believed to have been killed. 

Israeli leadership has met with Qatari, American and numerous international parties in attempts to broker a new ceasefire deal - which Hamas has repeatedly refused, despite claiming that the war they started has created a high civilian death toll in the Gaza Strip.

“After Bin Laden was killed, his body was chucked in the sea. Just saying.”

After Bin Laden was killed, his body was chucked in the sea. Just saying.

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) October 17, 2024

The Hostages Families Forum welcomed the possible news of Sinwar's elimination but urged Israeli officials to leverage it to ensure the return of the hostages. 

"The Hostages Families Forum commends the security forces for eliminating Sinwar, who masterminded the greatest massacre our country has ever faced, responsible for the murder of thousands and the abduction of hundreds," the Forum said in a statement. "However, we express deep concern for the fate of the 101 men, women, elderly and children still held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

"We call on the Israeli government, world leaders, and mediating countries to leverage the military achievement into a diplomatic one by pursuing an immediate agreement for the release of all 101 hostages: the living for rehabilitation and the murdered for proper burial."

Israel's Chargé d'affaires to Spain Dan Poraz also commented on the reports, posting on X "The man who brought death and misery to millions, the mass murderer of Jews and Israelis, who destroyed Gaza, who brought disaster to the Palestinians, and refused to end the suffering and free our hostages—this man is dead. Yahya Sinwar is dead. May he forever burn in hell."

The man who brought death and misery to millions, the mass murderer of Jews and Israelis, who destroyed Gaza, who brought disaster to the Palestinians, and refused to end the suffering and free our hostages—this man is dead. Yahya Sinwar is dead. May he forever burn in hell. pic.twitter.com/JBXjBdhdXh

— Dan Poraz (@PorazDan) October 17, 2024

US officials also celebrated the reports of Sinwar’s death

“The world, in all likelihood, has been rid of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Representative Ritchie Torres wrote on X. “We are awaiting official confirmation of the status of Sinwar’s corpse rotting in hell where he belongs.”

The world, in all likelihood, has been rid of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the deadliest massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

We are awaiting official confirmation of the status of Sinwar’s corpse rotting in hell where he belongs. pic.twitter.com/FMNOAkYBKZ

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) October 17, 2024