Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold urgent security consultations following the likely killing of Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas's political bureau. Defense Minister Yoav Galant and army commanders will participate in these discussions, focusing on the implications of Sinwar's potential death. The Israeli military has confirmed it is investigating the situation after clashes in Rafah resulted in the deaths of three fighters, one of whom may be Sinwar. Galant emphasized Israel's commitment to pursuing its enemies, while Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated that Sinwar's assassination could lead to the immediate release of Israeli detainees held by Hamas.
In Washington, Pentagon officials have been informed of the situation, and the U.S. is awaiting confirmation of Sinwar's death through DNA testing. If confirmed, this could represent a pivotal moment for Netanyahu, potentially allowing him to declare a 'victory in Gaza' and renew ceasefire negotiations. However, U.S. officials remain uncertain about the impact of Sinwar's death on the ongoing military conflict, particularly with tensions involving Hezbollah.
Families of Israeli detainees have expressed concerns regarding their relatives' fate and are urging the Israeli government to leverage Sinwar's killing to secure a deal for their return. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has echoed this sentiment, calling for a comprehensive agreement. Hamas has yet to comment on the situation or confirm the reported killing of Sinwar.
