Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the conflict in Gaza is "not over" following the reported killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In a recorded address on Thursday, he remarked, "Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete."
Netanyahu's comments were echoed by other Israeli leaders, including Benny Gantz, head of the centre-right National Unity party. Gantz, who left Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet in June due to disagreements over the handling of the war, emphasized that the "mission is not over" and that Israeli forces would remain active in Gaza for "years to come."
Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi confirmed that while Sinwar was killed in a firefight in Rafah, southern Gaza, their operations would continue until all individuals involved in the October 7 attacks are captured and hostages are returned. Israeli authorities accuse Sinwar of orchestrating the attacks that resulted in significant casualties.
Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, expressed hope that Sinwar's death might create an opportunity for a political resolution in Gaza. Biden referred to it as a chance for a "day after in Gaza" that could lead to a "better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also discussed Sinwar's alleged death with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, focusing on efforts to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages.
In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron described Sinwar's alleged death as a "turning point" and urged the need to secure the release of all hostages and work towards ending the war. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed similar sentiments, hoping that Sinwar's death could lead to a ceasefire.
Despite Netanyahu's acknowledgment that the war is not over, he suggested that Sinwar's death could bring an end to the conflict closer. "While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it is the beginning of the end," he stated, adding, "This war can end tomorrow if Hamas lays down its arms and returns our hostages."
However, experts like Daniel Levy, president of the U.S./Middle East Project, warned that eliminating a leader like Sinwar would not extinguish Palestinian resistance. He noted that such actions might even strengthen the resolve of those who view him as a martyr for the Palestinian cause.
The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties, with at least 42,409 people reported dead in Gaza since the war began, according to the enclave's health ministry. In the October 7 attacks by Hamas, more than 1,130 individuals were killed, while over 250 people were taken captive, with 101 still unaccounted for, according to Israeli figures.
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