US President Joe Biden stated today that official Washington helped Israel track down Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

"Immediately after the October 7th (2023) massacres, I directed our special operations personnel and intelligence professionals to work side by side with their Israeli counterparts to help locate and track down Sinwar and other hidden Hamas leaders. in Gaza," Biden said in a statement.

The statement came after Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said Sinwar was killed in a military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Biden said Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans and citizens from more than 30 countries, also accusing him of masterminding the October 7 attacks in Israel.

"This is a good day for Israel, the United States and the world," he said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: "It was with the help of US intelligence that many of these leaders, including Sinwar, were tracked down, brought out of their hiding places and escaped."

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Germany with Biden, Sullivan said, "Sinwar was clearly on the run."

Biden also expressed support for Israel to eliminate Hamas' leadership and military structure, saying that "Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7th."

"Now there is a chance for a 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power and for a political solution that offers a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all these goals. This obstacle doesn't exist anymore. But a lot of work remains ahead of us," Biden added.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Israel has a right to defend itself and the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated.

"Today there is clear progress toward that goal. Hamas has been destroyed and its leadership eliminated. This moment gives us an opportunity to end the war in Gaza, and it must end so that Israel is safe. The suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination, and it's time for tomorrow to begin without Hamas in power," Harris said.

In August, Sinwar became Hamas's political chief, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's new president on July 31. /AA