Sinwar’s death is an opportunity to end the war

Israel has announced that it has succeeded in killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7 massacre.

Celebrating the deaths of enemies is a controversial issue in Jewish culture but there is no question this death is a relief for Israelis and all enemies of terror.

It should be a relief for Palestinians too. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin described Sinwar's death as a major achievement that presents an extraordinary opportunity to end the "terrible war" between Israel and Hamas.

"Sinwar's death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting ceasefire, end this terrible war, allow Israelis to return safely to their homes in southern Israel, rush in far more humanitarian assistance to ease the misery in Gaza, and bring relief and hope to the Palestinians who have endured so much under Hamas's oppressive rule," Austin said in a statement.

Israel has shown little inclination during this war to take the advice of its strongest (and increasingly only) ally but we hope it will do so now.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in the days following Hamas's brutal October 7 invasion of southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been clear that his aim was to destroy Hamas, protecting Israelis from the terror of the Iranian proxy.

After Sinwar's death, Netanyahu declared that aim satisfied: "Hamas will never rule Gaza again,” he said.

But he also made it clear that he did not consider the war over. “Today, evil has suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet complete.”

Netanyahu did not outline what he considers would end the war, but the obvious outstanding issue is the hostages.