Trump on death of Hamas leader: 'That's sometimes what happens'

Former President Trump weighed in on Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar earlier this week, saying “that's sometimes what happens.” 

“My reaction is, he was not a good person,” Trump said Friday while visiting battleground Michigan, according to a video shared by an ABC News reporter on social platform X. “That's my reaction. That's sometimes what happens."

The former president also noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called him — but the two have yet to speak. He predicted that Sinwar's death would ease up peace negotiations in Gaza, where war has raged for over a year.

“I think it makes it easier,” Trump said. “I’m glad that Bibi decided to do what he had to do.”

Sinwar, who had been hiding out in underground tunnels, was killed Thursday during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas leader was the Jewish State’s military’s top target in the enclave that has been devastated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

Vice President Harris, Trump’s rival in the race, praised the killing of Sinwar, who orchestrated the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, where more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 250 people taken captive. She too said it could be an opportunity for cease-fire negotiations to move forward.

“Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated,” Harris said Thursday during a campaign stop in Wisconsin.

“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,” the Democratic presidential nominee continued.

Harris added, "It is time for the day after to begin, without Hamas in power.”

President Biden congratulated Netanyahu on Sinwar's killing and expressed hope for a cease-fire in the conflict. 

“Now is the time to move on. Move on, move toward to a cease-fire in Gaza, make sure that we move in a direction that we’re going to be in a position to make things better for the whole world,” Biden said Thursday following the news.

“It’s time for this war to end and bring these hostages home ... So that’s what we’re ready to do," he continued, adding later, "We’re going to work out what, what is the day after now. How do we secure Gaza and move on."