Hamas and Hezbollah are both without leaders. What now?
Oct 17, 2024
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Daniel Estrin, NPR's correspondent in Tel Aviv, shares on-the-ground insights following the death of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's leader, who played a key role during the October 7th attacks. Alongside him, Daniel Byman from Georgetown University discusses the geopolitical implications of Sinwar's demise for both Hamas and Israel. They explore the mixed reactions in Gaza, ranging from celebration to cautious optimism, and analyze how the loss of leadership could reshape strategies within Hamas and Hezbollah in the ongoing conflict.
Yahya Sinwar's death may lead to a shift in Hamas's leadership and impact future negotiations with Israel.
The reactions to Sinwar's death reveal deep divisions in public sentiment between Israeli celebrations and Gaza's mixed responses.
Deep dives
Yahya Senwar's Leadership and Death
Yahya Senwar, the leader of Hamas, was a central figure behind the October 7th attacks against Israel and was considered Israel's most wanted man in Gaza. His recent death, attributed to Israeli military action, has raised questions about the future direction of Hamas and the ongoing conflict with Israel. Senwar was viewed as a hardliner, often opposing compromise and any potential ceasefire negotiations, which makes his passing significant amidst the warfare. The circumstances of his death were somewhat coincidental, involving Israeli soldiers identifying suspicious movement before ultimately determining that Senwar was among those killed.
Reactions to Senwar's Death in Israel and Gaza
The response to Senwar's death varies significantly between Israel and Gaza. In Israel, there were celebrations among some citizens, who viewed his death as a significant step forward in their ongoing military efforts. Conversely, opinions in Gaza are mixed, with some mourning him as a martyr while others expressed relief, believing his leadership had brought destruction upon the region. This divide highlights the contrasting perspectives regarding the impact of his actions and leadership, underlining the complexities of public sentiment in both areas.
Implications for Hamas and Future Negotiations
Senwar's death may lead to a shift within Hamas as the group will now need to appoint a successor, potentially impacting their willingness to engage in negotiations with Israel. While some experts suggest a more moderate leader might emerge, making compromises more feasible, the overall stability of Hamas remains uncertain following a series of leadership losses. This situation also poses challenges for Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, who faces pressure from his political coalition to pursue a total military victory rather than a ceasefire. The ongoing dynamics could create both opportunities for negotiations and increased tensions, making the situation in the region even more precarious.
Today, Israel announced that they had killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas.
Sinwar came to power in the wake of the death of hiss predecessor, as well as the head of Hamas's military wing – leaving him ss the leading figure of the militant group.
What will Sinwar's death mean for Hamas and for Israel's war in Gaza ?
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