Sinwar's killing opens up opportunity and much uncertainty for the war in Gaza

Israels killing of Yahya Sinwar Hamas top leader and the mastermind of the groups Oct 7 attack is a dramatic turning point in the brutal yearlong war that it touched off Sinwars killing on Thursday decapitates the Palestinian militant group that has already been reeling from months of assassinations up and down its ranks And it is a potent symbolic achievement for Israel in its battle to destroy HamasThe killing coming just 10 days after Israelis and Palestinians marked a year since the deadliest fighting in their decadesold conflict erupted could set the stage for how the remainder of the war plays out or even prompt its conclusion depending on how Israel and Hamas choose to proceedSinwars death could serve as an offramp for Israel toward ending the war Sinwar who was appointed head of Hamas after its previous leader was killed in a blast in July blamed on Israel spent years building up Hamas military strength and is believed to have devised the Oct 7 2023 attack After that assault when Hamasled militants killed some 1200 people and abducted about 250 others Israel pledged to destroy Hamas and kill each one of its leadersWith Sinwar at the top of that wanted list his death is a major achievement for Israel Analysts say Sinwars killing has presented Israel which has struggled to articulate an exit strategy from Gaza with an offramp to end the war This would really be the cherry on the icing of the cake for Israel said Nomi BarYaacov an associate fellow of the International Security Program at the Chatham House think tank in London It should be easier to reach a dealWith the architect of the Oct 7 attacks eliminated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could now tell Israelis that one of the wars aims has been reached Politically that might allow him to be more flexible on a ceasefire deal that ends the war in exchange for hostages a condition he has so far refused to accept at least in part critics say because it could threaten his ruleSinwars death could have broader implications depending on Israels next moves Analysts said the achievement was such a gamechanger that it was an opportunity for Israel to signal that it is ready to end the fighting further afield in the region including in Lebanon where Israel is battling HezbollahThe opportunity to end the war entirely as well as in Lebanon it is entirely in our hands Giora Eiland a former head of Israels National Security Council told Israeli Channel 12 News saying Israel must use Sinwars death to present its conditions for ending the wars on both frontsThe families of hostages in Gaza had a similar message for Netanyahu A group representing the families welcomed Sinwars killing but recognizing the potential opportunity called on Israel to reconcentrate its efforts toward negotiating a deal Netanyahu dont bury the hostages Go now to the negotiators and the Israeli public and present a new Israeli initiative Einav Zangauker whose son Matan is held in Gaza said in a post on social mediaKhaled Elgindy a senior fellow at the Washingtonbased Middle East Institute think tank cautioned that Netanyahu has shown few indications that he is looking for an end to the conflict with the army intensifying its operations in the north of Gaza in recent weeksThe war is not over yet Netanyahu said in a video statement after the killing Netanyahu rules with the support of two farright parties that have threatened to topple the government if the war ends under a ceasefire deal They repeated their opposition to a deal after Sinwars killing They are also supporters of establishing Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip something the Israeli leader has publicly ruled outNetanyahu who is on trial for alleged corruption has also seen his political fortunes rise throughout the war after they plummeted in response to Hamas attack last year Prolonging the war allows him to enjoy boosts of support after whatever successes he notchesOther top Hamas officials may be more pliableSinwar was seen as a hardliner with close ties to Hamas armed wing and throughout repeated ceasefire negotiations with Israel was seen as having the final word on any agreement for Gaza and the release of dozens of Israeli hostagesSinwars positions were directly at odds with Israels He stuck to demands for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire even as more than 42000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing war according to local officials and much of the territory left in ruinsAccording to Elgindy Sinwars death will likely give more flexibility and control to the groups political leadership in Qatar This includes Khalil alHayya and Khaled Mashaal key Hamas delegates of the monthslong talks Those leaders could be more responsive to pressure from Qatar a key mediator that hosts some of Hamas top leaders Unlike Sinwar these leaders are also not in hiding in Gaza which could speed up progress on a dealThis story has been 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