On Friday, a senior Hamas leader stated that the group “cannot be eliminated” despite Israel’s efforts to target and kill its commanders. However, the leader, Basem Naim, did not confirm the death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, nor did he mention Sinwar by name. Israel announced on Thursday that Sinwar had been killed in a drone attack, which Israeli officials called a significant blow to Hamas. Sinwar is believed to be the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attacks on Israel.
Hamas Resilience and Response
Naim, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, emphasized that Hamas is a “liberation movement” that cannot be destroyed by killing its leaders. He listed several Hamas commanders who had been killed in the past, noting that their deaths only served to increase the group’s popularity and strengthen its resolve. “Hamas each time became stronger and more popular,” Naim said, “and these leaders became icons for future generations to continue the journey towards a free Palestine.”
Israel’s Next Steps
In response to the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a security meeting to discuss progress on a potential hostage deal with Hamas. This meeting, to be held at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, follows Israel’s confirmation of Sinwar’s death. While some hoped that the death of the Hamas chief could bring the conflict to an end, Netanyahu has suggested otherwise, calling Sinwar’s killing “the beginning of the end” of Hamas.
Global leaders have urged both sides to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, particularly in light of ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal. However, Netanyahu’s stance suggests that Israel is preparing for continued military operations in response to Hamas’s actions.
