Iran and Hezbollah Threaten Increased Tempo of War Against Israel

Iran's mission to the UN posted a tribute to slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar Thursday, saying his elimination by IDF troops would strengthen the "resistance" in the Middle East while their Lebanese terrorist proxy Hezbollah proclaimed a a “transition to a new and escalatorory phase” in the war against Israel that would include the use of precision-guided missiles.

Sinwar “will become a model for the youth and children who will carry forward his path toward the liberation of Palestine. As long as occupation and aggression exist, resistance will endure, for the martyr remains alive and a source of inspiration,” the Iranian UN mission said in a post on X.

Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim issued a wan statement Friday, obliquely admitting the death of Sinwar while declaring that it would be a mistake for Israel to think that "killing our leaders means the end of our movement and the struggle of the Palestinian people.” He added that in the past, Hamas had lost leaders but "each time became stronger and more popular, and these leaders became an icon for future generations to continue the journey toward a free Palestine.”