Yahya Sinwar, a prominent leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on October 17, 2024. Sinwar was a key figure in the organization, having helped transform Hamas into a formidable military force. His death is considered one of the most significant blows to the group since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated following a major attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite his death, many experts believe that the war between Israel and Hamas is far from over.
How Sinwar Was Killed
Sinwar’s death occurred during a chance encounter between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters in Rafah, a city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces were conducting a routine patrol when they unexpectedly engaged in a firefight with militants. After drones and tanks destroyed part of the building where the fighters had been hiding, the soldiers discovered Sinwar’s body among the rubble. It was later confirmed through dental records and DNA testing that the man killed was indeed Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar’s death was a surprise for Israeli soldiers, who had been searching for him for over a year. Israel’s military had been using all of its intelligence and resources to find Sinwar, as he had been one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Despite his importance to Hamas, Sinwar was found above ground, suggesting that Hamas’s ability to protect its leaders had diminished.
Reactions to Sinwar’s Death
The killing of Yahya Sinwar sparked mixed reactions across the region. In Israel, many people celebrated his death as a victory for the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sinwar’s killing as “the beginning of the day after Hamas” and emphasized that Israel would continue its military operations in Gaza until all hostages held by Hamas are freed. Netanyahu also stated that Israel would allow any Hamas fighters who surrendered and released hostages to live, but he warned that anyone who harmed Israeli hostages would face severe consequences.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed these sentiments, calling on remaining Hamas fighters to surrender. “Yahya Sinwar ended his life being beaten, persecuted, fleeing for his life, not in command of his organization and only taking care of himself,” Gallant said.
However, Sinwar’s death also raised concerns, especially among the families of the hostages still held by Hamas. Some worried that without Sinwar, negotiations for the release of the hostages might become more difficult. Kareem Jouda, a lawyer from Gaza, expressed concern that with Hamas’s leadership weakened and communications disrupted, it would be harder to organize efforts to free the hostages. Dana Leitersdorf, a relative of a hostage, said she feared that the hostages were now in the hands of “very brutal, unorganized men” who might harm them.
Impact on the Conflict
The death of Yahya Sinwar is a significant loss for Hamas, as he had been one of the group’s most influential leaders. He played a crucial role in transforming Hamas into a military force capable of launching sophisticated attacks against Israel. Despite this, experts believe that Sinwar’s death will not mark the end of the conflict. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have made it clear that the military campaign in Gaza will continue until Hamas is fully dismantled.
Hamas, in a statement, acknowledged Sinwar’s death as a “painful and distressing” loss but described him as an “icon for the Palestinian people.” The group vowed to continue its fight against Israel.
Within Gaza, reactions to Sinwar’s death were mixed. Some Palestinians, particularly those who had suffered during the war, expressed relief that Sinwar had been killed. A young man named Mohammed, who had been displaced multiple times, said, “He humiliated us, started the war, scattered us and made us displaced, without water, food or money. His death is the best day of my life.” On the other hand, some Palestinians mourned Sinwar’s death, viewing him as a symbol of resistance against Israel. In Khan Younis, Sinwar’s hometown, some people hoped that the reports of his death were false.
Future of the Conflict
The killing of Yahya Sinwar comes at a critical time in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since the start of the war, more than 42,400 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly 100,000 have been injured. The war has also caused widespread destruction across Gaza, leaving many people homeless and struggling to survive.
Sinwar’s death has also raised questions about the future of Hamas and its ability to continue fighting against Israel. While his death is a major blow to the organization, experts warn that the war is far from over. Israel is determined to dismantle Hamas, and the group still controls Gaza’s network of underground tunnels, which provide shelter and strategic advantages for its fighters.
In addition to the conflict with Hamas, Israel is also facing threats from other groups backed by Iran, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The fighting between Israel and these groups has intensified since the October 7, 2023, attack, and the region remains in a state of heightened tension.
As the war continues, many hope that Sinwar’s death could lead to new opportunities for peace. President Joe Biden of the United States has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and expressed hope that Sinwar’s death could pave the way for negotiations to secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the conflict. However, with both sides deeply entrenched in their positions, it remains unclear whether Sinwar’s death will lead to any significant change in the course of the war.
This article is based on the following articles:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/world/middleeast/hamas-sinwar-gaza-israel.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm24q3204y3o
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/18/nx-s1-5157608/israel-hamas-sinwar-gaza-future
Background Information
1. Who Are Hamas and Israel?
Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, a small territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The group was founded in the late 1980s and has both political and military wings. Its stated goal is the establishment of an Islamic state in what is now Israel, and it has opposed Israel’s existence since its founding. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union because it has launched numerous attacks on Israel over the years, including rocket attacks and suicide bombings.
Israel is a country in the Middle East, established in 1948 as a homeland for the Jewish people. It has faced conflicts with its Arab neighbors, including Palestinians, since its founding. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the longest-running and most complex conflicts in modern history. It involves disagreements over land, national identity, and political control, especially over areas like Gaza and the West Bank, which are claimed by Palestinians.
2. The Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip is a small but densely populated area that borders both Israel and Egypt. It has been the center of much of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and settlers from Gaza, but since 2007, Hamas has controlled the territory. Since then, Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, restricting the movement of goods and people in and out of the region. The blockade has been a point of contention, as Gaza suffers from shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
3. What Led to the Ongoing Conflict?
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has deep roots, but in recent years, the tension escalated significantly. One of the major events was the 2023 surprise attack by Hamas on October 7. This attack involved a massive military operation where Hamas militants crossed into Israel, killing many people and taking hostages. The attack was unprecedented in its scale, and Israel responded by launching a full-scale military campaign in Gaza to defeat Hamas and rescue hostages. This ongoing war has resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides, widespread destruction, and massive displacement of civilians in Gaza.
4. Hamas’s Military Strategy
Hamas is known for its use of tunnels beneath Gaza to carry out attacks and to evade Israeli airstrikes. These tunnels, often called “terror tunnels,” allow Hamas fighters to move undetected, store weapons, and hide from Israeli forces. They have also used these tunnels to smuggle goods and launch surprise attacks. The tunnel network makes it difficult for Israel to fully dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities.
In addition to tunnels, Hamas has been known to launch rockets into Israel, targeting cities and towns. Israel has developed an advanced missile defense system called the “Iron Dome” that intercepts and destroys many of these rockets before they can cause harm.
5. The Role of Hostages
Hostage-taking has been a significant part of the current conflict. Hamas captured hundreds of Israelis during the October 7, 2023, attack and has used the hostages as leverage in negotiations with Israel. Hostages are a major point of concern for Israel, which has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to rescuing them. This is one of the reasons why the Israeli military continues its operations in Gaza, despite heavy losses on both sides.
6. Hamas’s Relationship with Iran
Hamas is supported by Iran, a country that is opposed to Israel’s existence. Iran provides Hamas with financial aid, weapons, and training. This relationship is part of a larger regional conflict between Israel and Iran, as Iran also supports other groups that fight against Israel, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. This regional dynamic complicates the conflict, as it involves not just Israel and Hamas, but other countries and militant groups as well.
7. International Involvement
The Israel-Hamas conflict has drawn significant international attention. Countries like the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have tried to mediate peace talks between Israel and Hamas in the past. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have also called for ceasefires to allow aid to reach civilians in Gaza. However, efforts to bring about a long-term peace agreement have been difficult, as both sides have deeply entrenched positions.
8. Ceasefires and Peace Efforts
Throughout the conflict, there have been numerous ceasefires, but they tend to be short-lived. A ceasefire is an agreement to stop fighting for a certain period, often to allow for negotiations or humanitarian aid. However, the distrust between Israel and Hamas makes it difficult for ceasefires to hold. Peace efforts have been further complicated by the fact that Hamas and Israel have very different goals. Hamas wants the end of Israeli control over Palestinian territories, while Israel seeks to ensure its security from attacks.
9. The Impact on Civilians
One of the most tragic aspects of the conflict is the impact on civilians. In Gaza, civilians have faced bombings, food and water shortages, and displacement from their homes. In Israel, civilians have lived under the constant threat of rocket attacks. The violence has affected families, children, and communities on both sides. The blockade on Gaza has also worsened living conditions for Palestinians, leading to severe humanitarian crises.
10. The Role of Yahya Sinwar
Yahya Sinwar was not just a military leader but also a political figure within Hamas. He was seen as a hardliner, meaning he believed in using force to achieve Hamas’s goals rather than seeking a peaceful solution. Sinwar had been involved in Hamas since the 1980s and was known for his involvement in violent operations against Israel. His death, as mentioned in the article, represents a significant loss for Hamas, but the group has experienced the deaths of other leaders before and has always found new individuals to take their place.
11. Israel’s Goals in the Conflict
Israel’s primary goal in the conflict is to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas and secure the release of hostages. Israeli leaders have stated that they will continue their military campaign until Hamas is no longer able to launch attacks on Israel. This goal includes dismantling Hamas’s tunnel networks, destroying its weapons stockpiles, and removing its leaders. However, achieving this goal is challenging due to the complexity of the conflict and the deep-rooted nature of the hostilities.
Debate/Essay Questions
- Should the killing of Yahya Sinwar be considered a victory for Israel or a step that complicates the conflict further?
- Does the death of Yahya Sinwar increase or decrease the likelihood of a ceasefire and negotiations in Gaza?
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