Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘political calculations’
Netanyahu has insisted his goal is to eliminate Hamas completely, even though many experts have warned this may not be achievable
1. Hamas might be greatly weakened but it is still capable of firing rockets toward Israel 2. Meanwhile, the Israeli military recently re-entered northern Gaza, saying Hamas was reemerging in the area
Shira Efron, a senior director of policy research at the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation said,
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Sinwar’s killing gives Netanyahu the chance to claim a victory
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“They can now say okay, we have won the war, we can wind down the war in Gaza and move towards a different reality on the ground”
But Netanyahu could instead frame Sinwar’s demise as the signal to intensify the conflict
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“This all has to do with the political calculations of Netanyahu and his coalition”
Netanyahu has not yet outlined his government’s next steps And while Netanyahu did call Sinwar’s killing, the
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“beginning of the day after Hamas” Netanyahu also said "that the war is not over"
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“Today evil has suffered a heavy blow but the task before us is not yet complete”
Sinwar’s killing could also pave the way for a hostage and ceasefire agreement since Sinwar was believed to be one of the main blockers of a deal
Harel Chorev, senior researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, told CNN
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Sinwar had little personal incentive to negotiate, given that Sinwar was Israel’s No. 1 target
Uzi Rabi, also from Tel Aviv University said,
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"the hostages should now be the top priority"
“Israel must do its utmost to get them back” Uzi added “Without Sinwar, it might be little bit easier”
Speaking shortly after the announcement of Sinwar’s death on Thursday, Netanyahu appealed to the remaining Hamas fighters in Gaza
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“I call on everyone who holds hostages, whoever lays down their weapons and returns them, we will allow them to leave and live”
