Vice President Kamala Harris has called the death of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, a potential breakthrough to end the ongoing war in Gaza. Speaking at a campaign event in Milwaukee, Harris emphasized the importance of moving forward in a new direction without Hamas in power, hinting at a possible ceasefire.
“It is time for the day after to begin without Hamas in power,” Harris stated, stressing that Sinwar’s death could provide Israel with more security.
Harris’ comments come at a critical time in the US presidential race. The war in Gaza, which has dragged on for a year following the Hamas attack last October, has divided the Democratic Party. Some party members demand an end to arms sales to Israel due to mounting civilian casualties.
President Joe Biden echoed Harris’ sentiments, saying that Sinwar had been a major obstacle to achieving peace. “There is now the opportunity for a ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power,” Biden said, emphasizing the need for a political resolution benefiting both Israelis and Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Republicans have seized on the continuing bloodshed, positioning Donald Trump as the candidate who could calm global conflicts more effectively. Harris faced pro-Palestinian protests during her visit to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, signaling the sensitivity of the issue for Democratic voters in swing states like Michigan and Minnesota, with large Arab-American populations.
Concerns among Democrats are rising, as recent polling suggests that Arab-American voters could impact the election outcome in key battleground states. Earlier this month, Harris met with Muslim and Arab-American leaders in Michigan in an attempt to address frustrations over the administration’s handling of the conflict.
With Sinwar’s death, Harris and Biden are eyeing this as an opportunity to not only bring hostilities in Gaza to an end but also to unite a splintered Democratic base in time for the 2024 election. However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that their “mission” is not yet over, implying that hostilities could continue despite the potential for a ceasefire.
