10/18 – International News Update

Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7, 2023, assault that ignited the Gaza war and most recent leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Wednesday. [Reuters]

This marks another potentially significant turning point toward escalation in the conflict as Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group announced on Friday that it was entering a new, more intense stage in its conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, Iran stated that “the spirit of resistance will be strengthened” after Sinwar’s death.

Western leaders viewed his death as a potential opening for peace, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the war would persist until all Hamas-held hostages were freed. “We have delivered a blow to evil today, but our mission is not over,” Netanyahu said in a recorded statement on Thursday.  [Reuters] 

Sinwar, who took over Hamas leadership after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, had reportedly been hiding in the vast network of tunnels built by Hamas under Gaza. Israeli officials noted that soldiers, unaware they had captured their top target, killed Sinwar during a gunfight in southern Gaza on Wednesday. 

Opinion: 

Though Hamas has not officially responded, internal sources suggest that Sinwar was indeed killed by Israeli forces. Despite hopes from Western nations for a ceasefire, his death could exacerbate tensions in the region, where fears of a broader conflict are mounting. Israel has escalated its military operations in Lebanon in recent weeks and is preparing a response to an October 1 missile strike by Iran, a close ally of both Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has shown no indication of altering its stance, reaffirming that the “spirit of resistance” will only grow stronger following Sinwar’s killing. Hezbollah also responded defiantly, declaring a shift into an intensified phase of conflict with Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Saudi and Qatari leaders in an effort to halt the conflict. Meanwhile, Israeli hostage families, though acknowledging the importance of Sinwar’s death, emphasized that the war would not truly end until all hostages are freed.

Sinwar, who orchestrated the 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of over 250 hostages, is seen by some as a key figure whose death could advance peace efforts. The U.S. has expressed hope that his death may pave the way for a ceasefire and hostage negotiations. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller described Sinwar as the “primary obstacle” to peace, adding that his removal could open the door to talks, although it remains unclear if his successor would be amenable to such discussions.

When there is a significant enough movement of resistance as there is currently in Palestine against Israel, a leader can be killed but the movement itself will not be stamped out. A new leader will quickly succeed and the Hamas organization in this case will be weakened but not ready to stand down. As we have seen in recent months and in the larger scope of Israel’s regional adversaries and the extremist militias, no matter how many leaders they assassinate, another pops up and conflict resolution does not get any closer. It is doubtful that we are any closer to peace in the Middle East even though another key Hamas leader has been eliminated and they intensify their decapitation efforts against Iran’s proxy militant leadership. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Saudi and Qatari leaders in an effort to halt the conflict. Meanwhile, Israeli hostage families, though acknowledging the importance of Sinwar’s death, emphasized that the war would not truly end until all hostages are freed.