What's happened
The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has prompted calls for renewed ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. World leaders, including Keir Starmer and Joe Biden, view this moment as an opportunity to push for peace in the region, despite ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Scotsman highlights the potential for peace following Sinwar's death, with leaders like Keir Starmer and Joe Biden emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Starmer stated, 'The answer is diplomacy,' while Biden noted the opportunity to seek a path to peace. In contrast, The Independent reports on the cautious optimism among hostage families, who hope that Sinwar's removal could facilitate negotiations for their loved ones' release. However, they express concern about possible retaliatory actions from militants. The Independent also underscores Netanyahu's commitment to continue military operations until all hostages are freed, indicating a complex and precarious situation ahead.
How we got here
Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces on October 16, 2024, during the ongoing conflict that began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in significant casualties and hostages, escalating tensions in the region.
More on these topics
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Gaza may refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Yahya Sinwar is the current Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017. He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas. He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.