| NETANYAHU: 'THE BEGINNING OF THE END': As Israelis celebrated in the streets, most of the Western world cheered the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the barbaric Oct. 7 attack that cruelly murdered 1,200 civilians and took another 251 people hostage last year. In remarks last night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to focus on securing the freedom of the remaining 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. "Israel is committed to doing everything in our power to bring all of them home. And Israel will guarantee the safety of all those who return our hostages." "While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end," Netanyahu said. "To the people of Gaza, I have a simple message: This war can end tomorrow. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages." IDF RELEASES VIDEO OF YAHYA SINWAR'S FINAL MOMENTS BIDEN: 'THIS IS A GOOD DAY': President Joe Biden was en route to Germany when he got word aboard Air Force One that Sinwar's death, at the hands of Israeli soldiers in a surprise battlefield encounter, had been confirmed through DNA tests. "This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world," Biden said in a statement. "Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over 30 countries. … It was on his orders that Hamas terrorists invaded Israel to intentionally — and with unspeakable savagery — kill and massacre civilians, a Holocaust survivor, children in front of their parents, and parents in front of their children." "There is now the opportunity for a 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all of those goals. That obstacle no longer exists. But much work remains before us." "This is an incredibly significant blow to Hamas. It is the removal of someone who was unique in the consolidation of the control of the Hamas apparatus under his command," national security adviser Jake Sullivan briefed reporters on the plane. "At various points along the way, Sinwar was more interested in causing mayhem and chaos and death than in actually trying to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal. And we repeatedly saw moments where it was him, in particular, who stood in the way." "I think his removal from the battlefield does present an opportunity to find a way forward that gets the hostages home, brings the war to an end, brings us to a day after," Sullivan said. "That’s something we’re going to have to talk about with our Israeli counterparts." HOW BIDEN LOST HIS SWAY WITH ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU, ACCORDING TO BOB WOODWARD AUSTIN: 'AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY': Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Brussels for a meeting of NATO defense ministers when the news broke. In his statement, he called the killing of Sinwar by Israeli forces "a major achievement in counterterrorism" that "may bring some small measure of justice and solace" to the families of his many victims. "Our top and most urgent priority is to secure the release of each and every hostage, including our own American citizens. The hostages should not have to suffer for another hour in the clutches of Hamas and other terrorists," Austin said. "Sinwar’s death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting ceasefire, end this terrible war, allow Israelis to return safely to their homes in southern Israel, rush in far more humanitarian assistance to ease the misery in Gaza, and bring relief and hope to the Palestinians who have endured so much under Hamas’s oppressive rule." YAHYA SINWAR'S KILLING COULD PROVIDE OPENING FOR CEASEFIRE AND HOSTAGE DEAL Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Stacey Dec. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: As NATO wraps up its meeting of defense ministers that saw President Volodymyr Zelensky make a personal appeal for Ukraine to become the 33rd member of the alliance, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to brief reporters in the main auditorium at 8 a.m. Eastern time. "It would be politically wrong to leave Ukraine outside the alliance when, in practice, Ukraine is already part of NATO," Zelensky said, according to his office. "Ukraine truly deserves to become NATO's 33rd member one day, and we will do everything to make that happen. That's why the first point of the Victory Plan is [getting] an invitation to NATO." MORE REACTION TO SINWAR'S DEMISE: The killing of Yahya Sinwar, the world's most-wanted terrorist, was compared by President Joe Biden to the U.S. raid that took out Osama bin Laden in 2011, saying, "It proves once again that no terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes." The death resulted in a blizzard of statements from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Here's a sample: "Now is the time to reject his legacy of death, destruction, and suffering for both Palestinians and Israelis. It is time to secure an agreement for the release of the hostages he took. And it is time to chart a path that refuses to accept a region in perpetual conflict, instead embracing a future that fulfills the aspirations of peace, security, prosperity, dignity, and mutual recognition for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and for all the people of the region." — Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee "I congratulate Israel for having the courage to stand against his evil and for eliminating this violent madman — achieving a small measure of justice for his many, many victims, including dozens of American citizens." — Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee "While justice has been served to Sinwar, let us not forget that the terrorist network he headed still holds dozens of people hostage in Gaza, and we must continue to press for their safe return." — Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), chairman, Senate Intelligence Committee "The Israeli people — through their political leadership, the IDF and their intelligence services — have delivered a mighty blow to Hamas and Iran, and rendered some sense of justice with the elimination of Sinwar. The ultimate revenge against Iran and their terrorist proxies is to replace terrorism and hate with sustainable security, peace and prosperity for the region." — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) "Israel has proven what strong action against global terrorism should look like. Every time the Biden-Harris administration attempts to place conditions on Israel's self-defense, they are weakening Israeli and American responses to terrorism. The only way that this war will end is with Israel's victory and the defeat of Iran's terrorist proxies. Israel's removal of the architect of this war represents another key step toward eliminating these threats." — Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member, Senate Armed Services Committee "Justice has been served to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. … It is my hope that Sinwar's elimination will result in further progress toward the release of all hostages still held in Gaza, as well as to a ceasefire for Palestinians who have suffered under Hamas' grip for far too long." Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), chairman, House Intelligence Committee "With Hamas leaderless, there is a now critical opportunity in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should seize the moment to finalize a ceasefire, secure the release of the hostages, and begin the recovery process in Gaza, including greater humanitarian relief. I hope that today proves to be a practical and symbolic breakthrough that allows us to get on a better course and leads to regional deescalation." Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee. OPINION: WHAT YAHYA SINWAR'S DEATH MEANS FOR HAMAS AND FOR ISRAEL CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Yahya Sinwar's killing could provide opening for ceasefire and hostage deal Washington Examiner: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is dead: Oct. 7 mastermind 'eliminated' by IDF Washington Examiner: IDF releases video of Yahya Sinwar's final moments Washington Examiner: Opinion: What Yahya Sinwar's death means for Hamas and for Israel Washington Examiner: How Biden lost his sway with Israel's Netanyahu, according to Bob Woodward Washington Examiner: Trump loses battle to halt release of Jan. 6 evidence until after election Washington Examiner: Hackers charged with attacking hospitals and Israel's missile alert app Washington Examiner: Opinion: How Washington is protecting Russia Washington Examiner: Opinion: Tom Rogan: UK Labour Party risks Trump ire with ill-judged Harris campaign effort Washington Post: Hamas's Leader Killed In Firefight New York Times: Biden Talks to Netanyahu About Sinwar's Death and Getting to a Cease-Fire The Hill: US Had No Role in Israel Operation That Killed Hamas Leader: Pentagon AP: Sinwar's killing opens up opportunity and much uncertainty for the war in Gaza New York Times: Zelensky Tries to Sell His 'Victory Plan' to European Leaders Washington Post: For Now, NATO Invitation Seems Out Of Reach For Ukraine Wall Street Journal: Ukraine Defense Of Strategic Town Falters AP: Russia flaunts its many doomsday weapons to keep the West from ramping up support for Ukraine AP: Right-wing influencers hyped anti-Ukraine videos made by a TV producer also funded by Russian media The War Zone: Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed to Ukraine Finally Come Out of the Shadows Defense News: As Ukraine Builds Better Drones, Do American Firms Still Have a Role? Breaking Defense: The Army's 'Most Challenging' Unmanned Threat? Group 3 Drones USNI News: Hicks: China Threat More Difficult For Public To Understand Than Ukraine, Middle East Washington Post: China's Coast Guard Joins Drills, Raising Risk Of Escalation Military.com: Lawmakers Ask Armed Services Committees to Keep Governors' Authority over National Guard AP: His country trained him to fight. Then he turned against it. More like him are doing the same Defense One: Northrop Aims to Double GMLRS Rocket-Motor Output SpaceNews: Firefly to Launch True Anomaly's Jackal Vehicle for US Space Force Mission Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space-Based Targeting Challenges Nothing New for NRO, Deputy Director Says DefenseScoop: Valkyrie Drone Links with F-35s as Marines Pursue 'Autonomous Collaborative Killer' Capability Defense News: No Pilots, All Cargo: Airbus Tests Loading of Autonomous Helicopter Air & Space Forces Magazine: Headbands That Can Take Vital Signs: Air Commandos Try Out High-Tech Fabrics Air & Space Forces Magazine: Defending NATO's Flank National Security Journal: Stealth B-2 Bomber Hits the Houthis in Yemen. But Will It Matter Long-Term? National Security Journal: The Lesson from Yahya Sinwar's Death National Security Journal: Opinion: Yahya Sinwar is Dead. Now Bibi Netanyahu Should Resign. Business Insider: A-10 Demo Team Commander Reflects on Final Months Flying the Warthog THE CALENDAR: FRIDAY | OCTOBER 18 8 a.m. EDT Brussels, Belgium — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin holds a news conference at the end of a meeting of defense ministers at NATO Headquarters https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events 8:45 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations inaugural conference: “The Future of Critical Minerals and National Security," with former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Frank Fannon; retired Army Gen. Paul Kern, former U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, South Africa, and Indonesia Cameron Hume; and Rogier de la Rambelje, head of mining at EAS Advisors https://www.csis.org/events/future-critical-minerals-and-national-security 10 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Wilson Center Global Europe Program, the Wilson Center Kennan Institute, and the Wilson Center Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition discussion: “Disrupting Russia Artillery Supply Chain,” with Jack Watling, global fellow, Wilson Center Global Europe Program and senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute; Sam Cranny-Evans, associate, Open Source Centre; and Robin Quinville, director, Wilson Center Global Europe Program https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/disrupting-russias-artillery-supply-chain 10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Integration for Innovation: A Report of the CNAS Defense Technology Task Force,” with former Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work; Ellen Lord, former defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment; Michael Brown, former director, Defense Innovation Unit; and Andrew Metrick, former executive director, CNAS Defense Technology Task Force https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-integration-for-innovation 12:30 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs book discussion: A Call to Action: Lessons from Ukraine for the Future Force, with co-editor John Nagl, professor of warfighting studies at the U.S. Army War College; co-editor Col. Katie Crombie, chief of the Defense Department Joint Operational War Plans Division; Lt. Col. Stephen Trynosky of the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; Michael Hackett, State Department foreign service officer; and Matthew Levinger, director of the GWU National Security Studies Program https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/a-call-to-action-lessons-from-ukraine-for-the-future-force | | | | "Today, the mastermind of this day of sheer evil is no more. Yahya Sinwar is dead. He was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it's the beginning of the end." | | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in televised remarks Thursday night |
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