End of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was the key to ending the war

Israel cautiously celebrated on Thursday upon hearing the news that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had been killed in Gaza. Sinwar, the mastermind behind the events of October 7th, was known as one of the most fanatic leaders in Hamas.

In 2011, he was one of 1,027 Palestinian terrorists released from Israeli prisons in exchange for one kidnapped Israeli soldier.

His release caused controversy in Israel, and over time, his actions justified the concerns.

Upon returning to Gaza, Sinwar became infamous for his extreme violence, directed not only at Palestinians but also Israelis. He was involved in the torture and murder of Hamas member Mahmoud Ishtiwi in 2016, who Sinwar accused of being homosexual.

Sinwar was known for his extreme views. In 2018, he declared to the citizens of Gaza, “We’ll take down the border [with Israel] and tear out their hearts from their bodies.”

On October 7th of the previous year, he turned his words into actions.

For many Israelis, Sinwar’s death signaled a possible end to the war against Hamas in Gaza. The group’s ability to launch rockets into Israel had already been severely diminished in the past year. Most of Hamas’ senior leaders had been eliminated in the fighting.

As long as Sinwar was alive, there could be no closure for the Israeli people.

After his death, questions arose about the fate of the Israeli hostages believed to be held by Sinwar in Gaza’s tunnels. It remains unclear if they are still alive and where they might be located.

There are speculations that Sinwar may have kept the most valuable hostages, such as women and children, close to him. However, early reports suggest that he died alongside other Hamas terrorists above ground.

Messages from Sinwar over the past year highlighted his belief in a civilizational battle against the Jews and his willingness to sacrifice Palestinian civilians in the conflict.

Sinwar’s death may pave the way for the release of remaining hostages and potentially lead to an end to the war in Gaza.

With Sinwar gone, there is hope for a deradicalized and post-war Gaza. However, discussions about the region’s future are premature until the surviving hostages are safely returned home.

Sinwar’s demise carries a broader lesson for the region and America. His and Hassan Nasrallah’s fanatical ideologies led to bloodshed and conflict. Both wished to annihilate Israel and were enemies of the West.

It remains to be seen if their extremist views will die with them or if new fanatics will take their place. Their violent actions hindered peace efforts and fueled ongoing wars in the region.

While supporters of these leaders may realize the futility of their cause, it’s essential for lasting peace that they recognize the destructive legacy of figures like Sinwar.

Sinwar once claimed to have Israel where he wanted them. Now, Israel has placed him where he belongs.