Biden and Harris say Sinwar’s death, which has yet to be confirmed by Hamas, brings the end of the Gaza war closer.

US President Joe Biden has congratulated Israel on announcing the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, calling it “a relief” for Israel and a step toward ending the Gaza war.

Biden also said Thursday that Sinwar’s alleged killing, which Hamas has not confirmed, was an opportunity for a “political solution” to the conflict.

“This is a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world,” Biden said in a statement after Israeli officials announced they had killed Sinwar and confirmed their identity.

“Today… proves once again that no terrorist anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes,” he said.

Biden added that the US helped Israeli forces “locate and track” Sinwar, along with more Hamas leaders.

Sinwar became head of the group’s political bureau after his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran in July in an attack widely blamed on Israel.

“Sinwar was a crucial figure for Hamas operationally, militarily and politically,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, referring to his alleged assassination as an “opportunity”.

“He had effectively consolidated control over both the political and military wings under his leadership in recent weeks and months and so this is a very important event.”

Sinwar, who spent 20 years in Israeli prison, has been a top target for Israel since the October 7 attack, which Israel says he masterminded.

US says ‘possibility for a day after’

U.S. officials said Sinwar’s death removed an obstacle to ending the Gaza war, in which Israeli forces have killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians.

“There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that offers a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Biden said.

Sullivan, aboard Air Force One with Biden, added: “Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem, mayhem and death than in actually trying to reach a ceasefire and hostage agreement.”

Hamas has repeatedly said it supports a ceasefire agreement that would end the war and release both Israeli prisoners in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until “total victory.”

Biden spoke with Netanyahu later on Thursday.

“The US president commended the (Israeli military) for its excellent performance,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement. “Both leaders agreed that there is an opportunity to facilitate the release of the hostages and that they would work together to achieve this goal.”

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, speaking to the press during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, also said Sinwar’s death means “it’s time for the next day to begin.”

However, the US administration’s optimism about ending the war stood in stark contrast to Netanyahu’s claim that Israel’s “mission” in Gaza was not yet complete.

“There is a continuing delusion on the part of the United States that this incredible violence, this horrific death and destruction will suddenly open the way to paradise in the Middle East,” said Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political correspondent.

He predicted that “with the assassination of Sinwar, the war will continue to spread and deepen and become even more violent.”