Trump says the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar makes a peace deal 'easier'

DETROIT, Mich. — Former President Donald Trump said Friday that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would make it “easier” to end the war in Gaza, echoing the sentiments of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in his first public remarks on the matter.

Trump’s comment came in response to a question from NBC News about whether reaching peace would be easier or harder after Sinwar’s death. The former president said, “I think it makes it easier.” He did not respond when asked for further details about this view.

“My reaction is he was not a good person. That’s my reaction,” he added. “That’s sometimes what happens.” 

NBC News has reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment.

Sinwar is considered to be the mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, when about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage. He was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, according to Israeli officials, though his death was not confirmed until Thursday.

More than 42,000 people were killed in Gaza during Israel’s ongoing offensive after the attack, according to local health officials. 

Trump’s comments are largely in line with the responses from Biden and Harris. 

Harris said on Thursday that “justice has been served, and the United States, Israel and the entire world are better off as a result” of Sinwar’s death.

“This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self determination,” Harris said.

Biden made similar comments to reporters on Friday during his trip to Germany.

Sinwar “had the blood of Americans and Israelis, Palestinians and Germans and so many others on his hands.”

Biden said that in the aftermath of Sinwar’s death, he told Netanyahu, “Let’s also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace, a better future in Gaza without Hamas.”