The death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas believed to be the chief architect of the militant group’s October 7, 2023, terror attack, marks a critical turning point in the ongoing conflict with Israel. Israeli forces killed Sinwar during their operations in Gaza.
While his death could destabilize Hamas leadership, experts believe it might also provoke further violence, as factions within Hamas and allied militant groups may retaliate. This development complicates efforts to broker peace, raising concerns about continued escalation in the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s death marked “the beginning of the day after Hamas.” He vowed that Israel would continue fighting Hamas in Gaza until all hostages were returned home.
In a call discussing Sinwar’s death, Netanyahu and President Joe Biden agreed there was an opportunity to advance the release of the hostages in Gaza. US officials said they would redouble their efforts with mediators to push for a peace treaty.