SIR – Israel’s killing of Yahya Sinwar (report, October 18), Hamas’s leader, has done more to reduce the threat to Israeli citizens than any of the recent wailing and hand-wringing of Western leaders. Terrorists can only be defeated with strength and resolve.
As Israel removes its enemies’ leaders one by one, there will be fear and panic stalking the corridors in Tehran. I can only hope that Israel’s retribution for Iran’s missile attacks leads eventually to the Iranian people being set free, and an opportunity for peace in the region.
Phil Coutie
Exeter, Devon
SIR – Had the Israeli government listened to calls from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Sir Keir Starmer for a ceasefire in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar would now be alive and plotting further terrorist atrocities against Israel. Yet, instead of calling for the unconditional surrender of Hamas, they continue to call for a ceasefire and a negotiated end to the war.
The lack of support for Israel’s courageous and successful military campaign against Iran-sponsored terrorism in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond from these and other Western leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron, has forced me, reluctantly, to wish for the re-election of Donald Trump. He can at least be relied on to uphold Israel’s ability and moral right to defend itself.
Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey
SIR – Despite the death of Yahya Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the war is not over. Yet surely this is the right moment to attempt to negotiate a peace settlement. As with any terrorist organisation, Hamas will find a replacement leader. If the Israeli prime minister intends to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed, as he claims, the conflict will never end.
Chris Learmont-Hughes
Caldy, Wirral
SIR – Israel’s killing of Yahya Sinwar (report, October 18), Hamas’s leader, has done more to reduce the threat to Israeli citizens than any of the recent wailing and hand-wringing of Western leaders. Terrorists can only be defeated with strength and resolve.
As Israel removes its enemies’ leaders one by one, there will be fear and panic stalking the corridors in Tehran. I can only hope that Israel’s retribution for Iran’s missile attacks leads eventually to the Iranian people being set free, and an opportunity for peace in the region.
Phil Coutie
Exeter, Devon
SIR – Had the Israeli government listened to calls from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Sir Keir Starmer for a ceasefire in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar would now be alive and plotting further terrorist atrocities against Israel. Yet, instead of calling for the unconditional surrender of Hamas, they continue to call for a ceasefire and a negotiated end to the war.
The lack of support for Israel’s courageous and successful military campaign against Iran-sponsored terrorism in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond from these and other Western leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron, has forced me, reluctantly, to wish for the re-election of Donald Trump. He can at least be relied on to uphold Israel’s ability and moral right to defend itself.
Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey
SIR – Despite the death of Yahya Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the war is not over. Yet surely this is the right moment to attempt to negotiate a peace settlement. As with any terrorist organisation, Hamas will find a replacement leader. If the Israeli prime minister intends to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed, as he claims, the conflict will never end.
Chris Learmont-Hughes
Caldy, Wirral