Israeli analysts say the assassination of Yahya Sinwar is unlikely to bring Israel’s war on Gaza to an end and will likely put the 101 hostages held in the enclave in even greater danger.
There has been speculation that the Hamas leaders’ killing has left an opportunity for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under American pressure, to declare victory, strike a ceasefire deal and bring the hostages home.
This might have been possible several months ago, but the war on Gaza has now shape-shifted, Israeli journalist and analyst Meron Rapoport told Middle East Eye.
“The elimination of Hamas and the return of the hostages was not the goal of the war in recent times,” Rapoport said.
“The goal is to change the borders of the Gaza Strip and to eliminate Palestinian nationalism in Gaza and transfer as many people as possible.”
It might be harder to get to a ceasefire - but that’s still the first step in putting a stop to what’s happening. Without that, there are only two other choices: Israeli forces complete their war and take control over Gaza, or Hamas somehow wins over a nuclear power (Israel).
The latter two involve more innocents dying, hence my retaining preference for a ceasefire.