Sinwar’s death is a chance for Israel to declare victory and pivot in Gaza

Netanyahu should give amnesty to those holding hostages and take the lead in rebuilding Gaza with global and Arab world help

The Israeli military’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is a critical opportunity for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare victory in Gaza and pivot to a wiser strategic approach thnat the one he has pursued to date. 

As the mastermind behind countless attacks on Israelis and the incredible oppression of Palestinians, and as the main orchestrator of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, Sinwar was an arch-terrorist who got what he richly deserved. But his death marks much more than the removal of a single evil leader; it’s a chance for Israel to redefine the trajectory of the conflict.

The Israeli military said it had confirmed via DNA testing that Sinwar was one of three militants killed in a firefight in Gaza on Wednesday (it had Sinwar’s DNA from his time in Israeli prison). The defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said Israel had “closed its accounts” with Sinwar, and that he “died while beaten, pursued and on the run.”

But there is a bigger account. For far too long, Israel has been mired in what seems like a forever war: a cycle of retaliation and defense without a clear endgame, partly because Netanyahu’s governing coalition is dependent on far-right parties that want to reoccupy Gaza. That has prevented Israel from establishing reasonable long-term goals, and has caused the steady evaporation of global support for its actions.

Changing this terrible trajectory requires a major event, and Sinwar’s elimination could be just such a thing. Not every terrorist is replaceable; the charismatic and wily Sinwar, the leader since August of both the political and military wings of Hamas, may be a singularity.

He learned excellent Hebrew in two decades in Israeli prison (see above video) and was released in 2011 as part of a deal freeing about 1,000 prisoners in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. Known for charm and cruelty in equal measure, he was an icon in Gaza.

Sinwar, who was in his 60s, was widely seen as the source of Hamas’ obstinacy over the past year, and of the group’s determination to project indifference to the tremendous damage caused to Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 40,000 people have been killed, and many more displaced and deeply suffering, during the war.

His departure from the scene is a milestone Netanyahu should use to transition to a new strategic phase..