Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press on with the Gaza war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press on with the war after the killing of Hamas's new leader, Ahmed Sinwar.

The Israeli military confirmed Thursday that it killed Sinwar in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, but Israel and its ally the United States are at odds over what to do next.

Netanyahu called Sinwar's annihilation "the beginning of the end for Hamas" and said Israel would continue to fight until all hostages held by Hamas are released on October 7, 2023.

"Our job is not done," he said.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris said Sinwar's death lays the groundwork for the release of Israeli hostages and an end to the war in Gaza.

"Now is the time to move toward a cease-fire in Gaza and make sure that we move in a direction that makes the entire world a better place," Biden told reporters after flying into Germany late Thursday.

"Now we have an opportunity to end the war in Gaza, which must ensure the security of Israel, the release of the hostages, an end to the suffering in Gaza, and the right of the Palestinians to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination," said Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Harry Harris.

At a regular news briefing Thursday, State Department spokesman Stephen Miller said Washington would now redouble its efforts to try to advance a cease-fire proposal that has been on the table for some time, but provided no specifics.

French President Emmanuel Macron also said Thursday that military operations in Gaza must end and there must be a ceasefire in Gaza, implicitly criticizing the United States as Israel's main arms supplier.

"Those who send weapons to the military operation in the Gaza Strip bear a lot of responsibility," Macron said. "You cannot call for a ceasefire and at the same time continue to send weapons to allow these atrocities."