Netanyahu Vows To Continue Military Campaign Despite Killing Of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the plan to maintain Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon has dashed hopes that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could pave the way for an end to over a year of escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Sinwar, who masterminded the deadly October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the current Gaza war, was killed by Israeli soldiers during an operation in the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday.

Netanyahu described Sinwar’s killing as a significant milestone but reiterated that the war is far from over. “The war, my dear ones, is not yet over,” he told Israelis, stating that hostilities would persist until hostages held by Hamas are released.

He further asserted, “We have before us a great opportunity to stop the axis of evil and create a different future,” referencing Iran and its militant allies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

This stance diverges from the perspectives of Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, who suggested that Sinwar’s death might offer an opportunity to end the conflict.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller echoed this sentiment, stating, “That obstacle has obviously been removed,” while cautioning that it remains uncertain whether Sinwar’s successor would agree to a ceasefire.

Amid these developments, a senior diplomat in Lebanon remarked that hopes for an end to the war following Sinwar’s death appeared misplaced.

“We had hoped, really throughout this, that getting rid of Sinwar would be the turning point where the wars would end… It appears we were once again mistaken,” the diplomat told Reuters.

Efforts by the United States to broker ceasefires with Hamas and Hezbollah have faltered as Israel continues its military actions. The conflict has resulted in direct Iranian-Israeli confrontations, including missile attacks on Israel earlier this year.

Netanyahu has promised to retaliate against these attacks while the U.S. has urged Israel to limit its military targets.

Sinwar, who had been hiding in Gaza’s extensive network of tunnels, was killed during a gun battle in which Israeli troops initially did not recognise him.

The Israeli military released drone footage showing Sinwar in a destroyed building, where he attempted to throw a stick at the hovering drone in an apparent act of desperation.

While Hamas has not officially commented on Sinwar’s death, sources within the group have suggested he was indeed killed.

Sinwar’s leadership was pivotal in orchestrating the October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.

In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, resulting in over 42,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by local officials.

Hezbollah has also pledged to escalate its fighting against Israel, stating that “the spirit of resistance” will be strengthened by the death of its ally.

The Israeli military confirmed the killing of Muhammad Hassin Ramal, Hezbollah’s commander in southern Lebanon, as part of its ongoing offensive, which has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and displaced approximately 1.2 million people in Lebanon.

Families of Israeli hostages voiced mixed feelings about Sinwar’s death. Avi Marciano, father of Noa Marciano, who was killed in captivity by Hamas, remarked, “The monster, the one who took her from me… finally met the gates of hell.” However, he emphasised that the fight would not be over until the captives are released.

Boluwatife Enome

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