WASHINGTON

The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israel presents an opportunity to end a "terrible war" in the Gaza Strip, the US defense chief said Thursday.

"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," Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

His remarks came after Israeli army spokesperson Avichae Adree announced the killing of Sinwar in Gaza.

Austin said Sinwar’s killing is a "major achievement in counterterrorism."​​​​​​​

The Pentagon said earlier that US forces were "not directly involved" in Sinwar's killing. "This was an Israeli operation."

"The United States has helped contribute information and intelligence as it relates to hostage recovery and the tracking and locating of Hamas leaders who have been responsible for holding hostages," spokesman Pat Ryder told reporters.

Sinwar became Hamas’ political chief in August, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the Iranian capital of Tehran after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president on July 31.