Harris tells voters Sinwar’s death is opportunity to bring hostages home

Harris, while courting voters in the battleground swing state of Michigan, said that Sinwar's death is an opportunity to end the Israel-Hamas war.

 Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris waves after arriving at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, Michigan, US, October 18, 2024. (photo credit: LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS)
Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris waves after arriving at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, Michigan, US, October 18, 2024.
(photo credit: LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS)

Vice President Kamala Harris made a hard push on the campaign trail in battleground Michigan on Friday, where the Biden administration faces heavy opposition to its support of Israel in its war against Hamas from the state’s high Arab population.

Earlier this week, the Arab American Political Action Committee said it would not endorse Harris or former president Donald Trump over their “blind support” for Israel in its wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Harris was asked about her message to opposition voters across Michigan before a campaign event late Friday afternoon.

“First of all, we have got to end this war,” Harris said. “I think that what has happened now is the killing of Sinwar creates an opportunity for us to end this war and bring the hostages home.”

Trump, Harris comment on killing of Sinwar

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Friday that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would make the prospect of peace easier in Gaza.

“I think it makes it easier,” the former president told reporters as he arrived in Detroit for campaign events.

Trump also said he plans to talk to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon. He praised the Israeli leader as doing a good job while attacking President Joe Biden’s administration.

“He’s called me. I haven’t spoken to him. I’m going to speak to him probably now,” Trump said. “Biden is trying to hold him back… and he probably should be doing the opposite actually.”

Reuters contributed to this report.