East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho and the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on October 17, 2024, regarding the death of Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were responsible for Sinwar's elimination.

Senator Risch stated, "The world is a safer place today without Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar was responsible for the most significant murder of Jews since the Holocaust and the largest hostage crisis involving American citizens in the last 50 years." He emphasized that terrorists should not have a place in society and deserve to be eliminated.

Risch also noted that alongside Sinwar, two other high-level Hamas members were eliminated by the IDF. He described this as positive news for Israel, Gaza, and the global community. According to Risch, "Sinwar plunged the Palestinian people into violence and intentionally used innocent women and children in places like hospitals and schools as human shields."

He further expressed that progress in the region requires dismantling Hamas as a military force. "This is not easy to do," he acknowledged but credited Israel with making strides toward this goal. Risch urged increased support from the U.S. and its allies for Israel's efforts: "The U.S. and our allies should do more to help the Israelis continue to cut off the head of the snake."

Risch concluded by stating that Israel's success would represent a victory for freedom worldwide.