Will Israel-Gaza war end after death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar?

Israel and Hamas gave short shrift to suggestions from Western leaders that killing the militant group’s leader Yahya Sinwar this month presents an “opportunity” to end the brutal war in Gaza.

In a joint statement following a meeting in Berlin on October 18, two days after Sinwar’s death, US President Joe Bidenits French counterpart Emmanuel MacronBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmerand the German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “capitalize” on Sinwar’s disappearance when they met in Jerusalem on Tuesday, pleading for the release of the 101 hostages believed to still be held by Hamas and for a resolution to the conflict that would ensure “sustainable security for both Israelis and and for the Palestinians.”

But Middle East experts say Sinwar’s removal has not changed the reasons behind the war, which has raged for more than a year – dismissing Western proposals as “wishful thinking”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations in Gaza “in full force”. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

The day after Sinwar’s death at the hands of Israeli forces, Netanyahu addressed the families of the Israeli hostages, vowing to continue military operations in Gaza “with full force until the return of all our loved ones, who are our loved ones.”