Netanyahu Declares Sinwar’s Death as “Beginning of the End
As the militant leader is killed, international voices urge Israel to cease hostilities and pursue diplomatic negotiations.
The death of Yahya Sinwar, Israel’s most-wanted enemy, has been celebrated as a significant victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but it has also intensified the pressure on him to end the ongoing conflict and secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Netanyahu called Sinwar’s killing “the beginning of the end” of a war that has now extended to involve Lebanon and Yemen. He added that peace could be restored if Hamas lays down its arms and releases the 101 Israeli and foreign hostages still held in Gaza.
Sinwar’s elimination marks another milestone in the list of militant leaders targeted by Israel in recent months, and with him gone, concerns about negotiating with the mastermind of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks have diminished.
“This is a crucial moment that Israel can use to close the Gaza front,” said Shira Efron, Senior Director of Policy Research at the pro-Israel Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation. “Avenging Sinwar taps into the core of Israeli society,” she added.
However, Hamas’ response to Sinwar’s death remains uncertain. The leader was seen injured in a destroyed Gaza building, and his body was later retrieved by Israeli forces for confirmation. Despite this, Hamas’ deputy leader Khalil Al-Hayya declared that hostages would only be freed once Israeli forces withdrew and their aggression ended.
Some of Netanyahu’s political allies, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, advocate for the total surrender of Hamas before any ceasefire is considered. However, there is a growing sentiment, even among some hardline supporters, that Sinwar’s death presents an opportunity to end the conflict.
Netanyahu has consistently argued that lasting peace can only be achieved by defeating enemies through military might, even at the expense of international relations. Sinwar’s death is seen as validation of Israel’s decision to launch a ground offensive in Rafah earlier this year, despite global pressure to avoid such actions.
Over the past year, Netanyahu has resisted both internal and international calls for a ceasefire, including appeals from U.S. President Joe Biden. Nevertheless, with Sinwar’s death, some believe Netanyahu now has a viable “off-ramp” to end the war, according to Carmiel Arbit, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Netanyahu’s political standing, which hit a low after the devastating Oct. 7 attacks, has improved following the assassinations of key militant leaders, including Hamas’ military commander Mohammed Deif, political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
While Sinwar’s death has reignited hope for an end to hostilities, the road ahead is uncertain. Much will depend on who replaces Sinwar and how Hamas reacts to this leadership loss. With Gaza in ruins and 42,000 Palestinians killed, reconstruction efforts will require significant international aid and time. Meanwhile, Israel maintains it will not allow Hamas to have any role in governing Gaza post-conflict.
Even in hard-hit communities like Kibbutz Be’eri, where many lives were lost during the Oct. 7 attacks, there is cautious optimism. “This is an opportunity that must be seized,” said Amit Solvi, urging Israel to pursue a diplomatic solution in the wake of Sinwar’s death.
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