Killing Sinwar: A Victory, But What Comes Next for Netanyahu?

The killing of Yahya Sinwar stands out as Israel's most significant achievement in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Sinwar's death delivers a major setback to Hamas, as he was instrumental in transforming the group into a powerful military force that dealt one of the toughest blows Israel has ever faced.

However, his death was not the result of a pre-planned special operation by Israeli forces. Instead, it occurred unexpectedly during a confrontation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza.

A photo from the scene shows Sinwar dressed in military gear, lying lifeless among the rubble of a building destroyed by a tank shell.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, commended the soldiers for their efforts but emphasized that the battle is not over yet.

"Today, we sent a clear message to those who attack us. We demonstrated once again the triumph of good over evil."

"However, the fight is far from finished. It remains tough and comes with a heavy price."

"We still have major challenges ahead. This journey will require patience, unity, bravery, and determination. Together, we will continue the fight, and with God's blessing, we will achieve victory."

Netanyahu and most Israelis backing the war in Gaza were hoping for a decisive victory.

The prime minister has often outlined two main goals: eliminating Hamas as a military and political force and safely bringing back the hostages.

However, neither goal has been fully achieved, even after a year of conflict that has claimed over 42,000 Palestinian lives and left much of Gaza devastated.

Some hostages remain in captivity, and Hamas continues to resist, occasionally causing casualties among Israeli soldiers.

Killing Sinwar was the victory Israel aimed for. However, as Netanyahu stated, the conflict will continue until the other goals of the war are achieved.

Yahya Sinwar was born in 1962 in a refugee camp located in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. At the age of five, he witnessed Israel taking control of Gaza from Egypt during the 1967 Middle East war.

Sinwar's family was among the over 700,000 Palestinians who either fled or were forced out of their homes during the 1948 war, which marked the establishment of Israel as an independent state.

His family originally came from the town now called Ashkelon, located near the northern edge of the Gaza Strip.

In his 20s, Sinwar was sentenced by Israel for the killing of four Palestinian informers. He spent 22 years in prison, where he learned Hebrew, studied Israel closely, and believed he figured out how to fight against them. During his imprisonment, Israeli authorities collected his dental records and a DNA sample, making it possible to confirm his identity if needed.

Sinwar was freed in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange, where over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were swapped for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.

On October 7 last year, Sinwar and his forces carried out a carefully planned attack, delivering Israel one of its worst military setbacks in history. The operation left deep emotional scars on the nation.

The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis, with many being taken hostage. For many Israelis, the events brought back painful memories, comparing the horror to the Nazi Holocaust.

Sinwar's experience of being released in a prisoner swap likely taught him the importance and leverage of taking hostages.

In Tel Aviv, families of the 101 hostages still held in Gaza have been gathering in a familiar square, urging the government to start new talks to bring their loved ones back. Israel believes that nearly half of these hostages may already be dead.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, made a direct appeal to the prime minister.

"Netanyahu, don't abandon the hostages. Reach out to mediators and present a new plan from Israel," she urged.

"For my son Matan and the other hostages trapped in the tunnels, time is running out. You have your victory moments-now it's time to make a deal!" This was reported by the BBC.

She warned that if Netanyahu misses this opportunity and doesn't present a new plan now - even if it means ending the war - it would show that he has chosen to leave the hostages behind to extend the conflict and strengthen his leadership.

"We will not stop fighting until every hostage is brought back home," she vowed as reported by BBC.

Many Israelis think Netanyahu is trying to extend the war in Gaza to delay facing accountability for the security lapses that allowed Sinwar and his forces to breach Israel. They also believe he wants to postpone, possibly indefinitely, the continuation of his trial on serious corruption charges.

Netanyahu denies these claims, stating that achieving what he calls 'total victory' over Hamas in Gaza is the only way to ensure Israel's security.

Similar to other media outlets, Israel rarely allows the BBC to enter Gaza, except for occasional, supervised visits with the military.

In Khan Younis, Sinwar's hometown (birth place) now in ruins, local Palestinians interviewed by trusted freelancers for the BBC remained defiant. They expressed their belief that the war would continue.

"This is a war aimed at wiping out the Palestinian people, something we all know and understand. The conflict goes far beyond just Sinwar or any single individual," said Adnan Ashour.

He mentioned that while some people felt sad about Sinwar, others were indifferent.

"They aren't targeting only us-they want control over the entire Middle East. They are involved in battles in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. This is a conflict between us and the Jews that has been going on since 1919, for more than 100 years," he added.

When asked if Sinwar's death would impact Hamas by BBC ,he replied, "I hope not, God willing. Let me explain: Hamas is not just about Sinwar... It represents the cause of an entire people."

The conflict in Gaza continues. In a raid on northern Gaza, 25 Palestinians lost their lives. Israel reported that the attack targeted a Hamas command center. However, doctors at a nearby hospital said that many of the wounded they treated were civilians.

Air drops of aid resumed after the U.S. pressured Israel to allow more food and relief supplies into Gaza.

Since the 1990s, Israel has killed nearly every leader of Hamas, except one, but each time a new leader has taken their place. While Israel celebrates the killing of Sinwar, Hamas still holds hostages and continues to fight.

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: [email protected])