The Killing of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar: A Turning Point in the War?

Just weeks after the targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces have announced the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Sinwar’s death marks a significant development in the year-long war and raises questions surrounding the future of Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza and across the broader region. To examine these recent developments in the context of the greater regional conflict, the Middle East Institute will be hosting an expert panel discussion.

The assembled scholars will address the following questions and more: Will Sinwar’s death be enough for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare victory over Hamas and end the war? If Israel continues its military campaign, will it maintain support from the United States? Who will take over from Sinwar, and what will that mean for the future of Hamas? What are the implications for the widening regional conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies? 

Speakers:

Khaled Elgindy
Senior Fellow, Director of Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs, Middle East Institute​​​​​

Nimrod Goren
Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs, Middle East Institute

Brian Katulis
Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy, Middle East Institute

Charles Lister
Senior Fellow, Director of Syria and Countering Terrorism & Extremism programs, Middle East Institute

Zeina Al-Shaib (Moderator)
Director of Digital Communications, Middle East Institute