Death of Hamas leader: what comes next in the Gaza war?
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the radical Islamic Hamas movement and alleged mastermind behind the massacre of 7 October 2023, has been killed during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Commentators discuss to what extent this opens up new opportunities.
Turning point now on the cards
Now an end to the Gaza offensive is within reach, writes the Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
“Sinwar's death could give the negotiations a new boost and allow Israel to declare victory - it could be the beginning of the end of the Gaza war. ... Hamas, however, has been used to its leaders being killed for decades. ... This time, too, the organisation will in all likelihood simply appoint a new leader. ... One way or another: with the killing of Sinwar, Israel has scored a major victory in a war that has already lasted over a year. ... A ceasefire would not only end the suffering of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, but would also bring the exhausted Israeli society a step closer to peace.”
Unique opportunity for a deal
Sinwar's death is a huge opportunity, writes Libération's editor-in-chief Dov Alfon:
“Few will mourn Sinwar's assassination, but his death brings a unique opportunity for the US to push for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the start of reconstruction, especially since the Israeli general in charge of the front recently announced that most of the military objectives in Gaza had been achieved. The fate of the 63 hostages still believed to be alive is in the hands of Tehran, which could save them from potential reprisals by their captors and negotiate their release in exchange for an Israeli commitment to refrain from the announced retaliatory measures in response to Iran's attack. ... That would only be fair and would mean the real death of Yahya Sinwar.”
Glimmer of hope quickly snuffed out
The window of opportunity for peace has already been shattered, laments Le Soir:
“No death, whether it is that of the highest-ranking Palestinian leader, the most ruthless fighter or the most pacifist activist, will put an end to the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for self-determination. The only glimmer of hope in this bottomless quagmire would be for Hamas and the Israeli Prime Minister to take advantage of Sinwar's death to finally agree on a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire. But there is no end to Netanyahu's intransigence. 'We will not halt the war. We will enter Rafah,' the head of government immediately declared.”
A warning to Israel's enemies
Sinwar's death is significant for many reasons, stresses The Spectator:
“Until now, Yahya Sinwar has been the main impediment to a deal with Israel, with others in Hamas wanting a deal. Israel also hopes that eliminating Hamas's leadership will bring an end to Hamas's political grip over Gaza. ... In any case, the killing of Sinwar has a symbolic meaning. This is not just Israeli revenge against the instigator of the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Israel has now successfully assassinated the top leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. It has shown its enemies that Israel's long arms can reach anyone. This should act as a potent warning for Israel's enemies.”
Solution now depends even more on Tehran
Now Iran of all countries is assuming a central role, Corriere della Sera explains:
“Who will speak for Hamas now? Political representation has been re-established in the Qatari capital Doha, but it may not represent what's left of the militia on the ground in Gaza. A paradox of Israel's recent military and intelligence triumphs is that they make Iran's role even more central. With the Mossad and Israeli forces having decapitated both Hamas and Hezbollah, what remains of these armed groups depends on Tehran's help. Can the Iranian ayatollahs persuade these dismembered and weakened militias to accept terms they refused until yesterday?”