President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hailed Thursday as a significant day following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar, seen as the key figure behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, was killed by Israeli forces, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed.

Biden, in a detailed statement, shared that U.S. intelligence had supported Israel in locating and tracking Sinwar and other Hamas leaders hiding underground.

“To my Israeli friends, this moment may offer a sense of relief and reflection, reminiscent of when President Obama authorized the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011,” Biden stated.

The focus now shifts to what Sinwar’s death could mean for the trajectory of the war and the potential for renewed negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. U.S. officials had previously identified Sinwar as a key obstacle to reaching such agreements.

“There is now an opportunity for a future in Gaza without Hamas in power, offering the potential for peace and a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Biden continued. “Yahya Sinwar was a major barrier to that vision, and with his removal, new possibilities emerge. However, much work remains ahead.”