An image released by the Israeli military on October 17 shows what they claim is drone footage capturing the final moments before the assassination of Hamas leader Sinwa, who orchestrated the cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7. Analysts suggest that while Hamas has suffered a significant loss with Sinwa’s death, it is unlikely to mark the end of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

An analysis published by The Washington Post on the same day highlights that Hamas operates as both a political force and a military entity, having weathered the assassination of multiple leaders over decades. This resilience underscores deep-rooted anger and disillusionment among Palestinians regarding Israel’s occupation and the repeated failures of U.S.-led peace initiatives.

Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, noted that many Palestinians, along with “millions of Arabs and Muslims,” viewed Sinwa as a symbol of resistance against Israel. His death represents a “painful and heavy blow” to Hamas.

However, Gerges added that “this struggle does not center around one individual or leader.” He emphasized that even after the announcement of Sinwa’s death, Israel would still face the same strategic quandary, as this incident does not provide a genuine solution.

The Washington Post also reported that the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza more than a year ago have severely diminished Hamas’s military capabilities, to the extent that former Israeli National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror remarked that they “cannot currently attack Israel.”

Despite this, Hamas has evolved into a formidable guerrilla force, engaging in intense urban warfare within Gaza and holding 101 hostages. Amidror indicated that Hamas remains powerful enough to “eliminate any alternative forces” in a post-conflict scenario.

Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza who has since relocated to Northwestern University as a visiting scholar, commented on Sinwa’s death, stating, “This will not be the end of Hamas.” He referenced the assassinations of Hamas founders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi in 2004, noting that these actions did not weaken the organization.

Abusada asserted that “Hamas views itself as a national liberation movement fighting against Israeli occupation. If one leader falls, another will step up to continue the struggle, which has been the ongoing pattern for years.”