Israeli military claims it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
Oct 17, 2024
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Nina dos Santos, an international broadcast correspondent, and Nick Gowing, a distinguished fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, join Greg Karlstrom, a Middle East reporter, to discuss the significant implications of Yahya Sinwar's death on the conflict in Gaza. They delve into the political shakeup within Hamas and Israel's tactical dilemmas moving forward. The conversation also touches on Ukraine's strategic plans for victory, Italy's controversial surrogacy legislation, and the evolving royal sentiments in Australia as King Charles III prepares for his visit.
The assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces raises concerns about potential upheaval and leadership struggles within Hamas.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is seeking intensified NATO backing and formal membership amid ongoing Russian aggression, despite NATO's cautious response.
Deep dives
The Impact of Yahya Sinwar's Death
The death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, marks a significant event in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. His assassination occurred almost accidentally by lower-ranking Israeli soldiers who engaged in a gunfight without initially knowing they were targeting a high-profile figure. Sinwar was instrumental in Hamas's military operations and built a power structure that relied heavily on his leadership. With his elimination, there is speculation about potential power struggles within Hamas and whether this could present an opportunity for ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas.
Leadership Challenges for Hamas Post-Sinwar
Following Sinwar's death, the immediate concern is identifying his successor and whether they can maintain unity within Hamas. The internal power dynamics are complicated, as Sinwar had a unique ability to control operations on the ground in Gaza, creating a divide between the leadership inside Gaza and that outside. A possible successor may be his brother, Mohamed Sinwar, but the question remains as to whether he can command the same respect and authority. Hamas's future cohesion is uncertain, especially if external political figures, like Khaled Meshal, are brought into leadership roles that challenge local structures.
Netanyahu's Strategic Dilemma
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a challenging decision following Sinwar's death amid increasing pressure from both domestic and foreign allies. While there's significant public support within Israel for negotiating a ceasefire and securing hostage releases, Netanyahu's political alignment with hard-right coalition partners urges him to continue the military campaign. Analysts suggest that without substantial pressure from the U.S. to change course, Netanyahu might be incentivized to prolong the conflict, potentially to the detriment of prospects for peace. The ongoing war not only affects Hamas's leadership but also the overall stability of the region and Netanyahu's political future.
Zelenskyy's Push for NATO Membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is actively seeking NATO's support in the face of renewed aggression from Russia, bringing forward his victory plan during discussions with EU and NATO leaders. His approach includes requests for formal NATO membership, an increase in operations against Russia, and enhanced economic support amid winter challenges. While the ambitions expressed by Zelenskyy represent a push for a strong alliance, there are significant hesitations among NATO members regarding these requests, particularly due to the sensitive geopolitical climate. Analysts warn that Zelenskyy's narrative of victory may be overly optimistic, as Ukraine's present struggles cast doubt on the feasibility of restoring pre-war territorial claims.
Nina dos Santos and Nik Gowing take a look at the claims by the Israeli military that it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Zelensky unveils his ‘Victory Plan’, why Italy is criminalising seeking surrogacy abroad and Australia takes a look at its attitudes to the Royal Family ahead of a visit from King Charles III. Plus: we receive a letter from Chefchaouen.