Trump: Sinwar's death makes peace easier, I plan to speak with Netanyahu

(Patria) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Friday that the death of Palestinian group Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar improves the prospects for peace in Gaza, Reuters reported.

"I think that makes it easier," he told reporters upon arriving in Detroit for campaign events.

Sinwar (62), the architect of the deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli operation in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. In the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage.

Trump also said he plans to speak soon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He praised the Israeli leader for doing a good job while attacking the administration of President Joe Biden.

"He called me. I haven't spoken to him. I will probably talk to him now," Trump said.

"Biden is trying to hold him back... and he should probably actually be doing the opposite."

Biden and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Trump faces in a tight race for the U.S. election on November 5, have maintained strong support for Israel in its wars in Gaza and Lebanon. However, Washington earlier this week sent a letter to Israel demanding it improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on U.S. military aid.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, caused famine, and led to genocide charges at the World Court that Israel denies. Israel has also recently escalated its military campaign in Lebanon, where over 2,000 have been killed and over a million displaced. Israel says it is targeting Lebanese Hezbollah militants, who have been engaged in cross-border fire with Israel for the past year.