Will Sinwar's Death End the Israel-Hamas War?

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed on Thursday. Will his death hasten the end of the Gaza war?

Leaders Weigh In:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Sinwar’s death a “great opportunity” to bring home Israeli hostages and for Gazans to “finally break free” of Hamas rule. But he also said “the mission ahead of us is still not complete,” suggesting the war should continue.
• U.S. President Joe Biden wrote Hamas was “no longer capable of carrying out another October 7,” and ending its power in Gaza would allow for a “political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” but concluded, “much work remains before us.”
• Senior American and Arab officials told Washington Post (Lean Left bias) a near-term end to the war depends on “whether Israel becomes more flexible” having eliminated a top target.

Optimistic Media: Three authors wrote for Time Magazine (Lean Left) that Israel now has an opportunity to “reframe the issue, reminding the world about the hostages and that it is Hamas that continues to subject Gazans to destruction.” Washington Examiner (Lean Right) was less confident, stating that “Sinwar had been the obstacle blocking a ceasefire deal,” but also that his “successor could opt to make a deal or continue his hardline position.”

Pessimistic Media: Haaretz (Lean Left) said Sinwar’s death may drive uncoordinated Hamas generals to kill hostages and “will only strengthen Netanyahu's hubris and self-confidence.” MSNBC (Left) noted, “with each killing of a Hamas leader over the years, their life story of armed resistance becomes folklore that fuels another generation of leaders who are in some cases more extreme, more hard-line and more militant.”