With the death of Yahya Sinwar, Gaza can have a future without war

With the unexpected death of Yahya Sinwar this week, Israel suddenly finds itself at a crucial moment in its long and painful conflict with Hamas. Sinwar, the mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks and orchestrator of the October 7 massacre, was not only a leader but also the face of Hamas’ ruthlessness. While his death is a tactical success, it offers Israel the chance for something far more consequential: a strategic breakthrough that can reshape the future of Gaza, Lebanon and perhaps even Israel’s domestic politics.

This is Israel’s opportunity to declare victory and advance a more decisive, long-term strategy that finally breaks the cycle of conflict. But for that to happen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government must act quickly and clearly on several fronts: rebuilding Gaza, neutralizing Hezbollah in Lebanon and pursuing a peace initiative with Saudi Arabia.

The latter possibly through the controversial trilateral normalization plan proposed by President Biden almost a year ago, which focused on a regional peace initiative linking Israel and Saudi Arabia through economic cooperation and normalization of relations with US support and security guarantees. Israel could also use the opportunity at home to form a new and possibly unified government that would politically stabilize the nation and create the conditions for lasting peace and security.

Most importantly, Sinwar’s death represents a path to ending the war in Gaza that arose from Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack. “The score is finally settled and symbolically we can begin to think about two important steps forward,” notes Doron Avital, an Israeli politician who served for Kadima in the Knesset between 2011 and 2013 and was a commander during the 1982 Lebanon War.

“Firstly, the release of the hostages who are still alive must be ensured,” says Avital. “And with Hamas now exhausted as a military organization, what the ‘day after’ will look like for the Gaza Strip government will be decided.”

In fact, Sinwar’s death, along with other key Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh, opens the door to a new day for Gaza. Until now, Israel has been trapped for decades in a paradigm of perpetual war – responding to attacks and launching counterattacks, but with no clear end result. Sinwar’s demise could be the moment that actually allows Israel to move towards a forward-looking and long-term strategy.

Israel, together with its allies, should take the lead in rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. This is not only a humanitarian but also a strategic necessity. Palestinians must be included, and that could mean working with a revamped Palestinian Authority — along with support from moderate Arab nations. This will help Israel fill the power vacuum created by the collapse of the Hamas leadership. The US and EU must also step up and provide the necessary financial support and diplomatic pressure to ensure that Hamas or another extremist group does not reemerge to fill the void.

A reconstruction plan should focus on providing humanitarian assistance, rebuilding schools, hospitals and housing, and promoting new leadership that is not influenced by Hamas’ influence. With Sinwar now gone, there will also be a sigh of relief in the moderate Sunni world and a great willingness to help Israel use this to create a new administrative policy for Gaza.

Success in Gaza should be extended to Lebanon, where Hezbollah remains a potent threat. With Hamas in disarray, Israel has an opportunity to deliver a strategic blow to Hezbollah, which has been weakened by instability in Lebanon and pressure from the international community. A two-front strategy targeting both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon would eliminate two of the greatest threats to Israel’s security in a coordinated effort.

Taking advantage of this requires an Israeli government that is not dependent on the far right. So Netanyahu will need a fresh start. Given the victory of Sinwar’s death, it is time for Netanyahu to consider including opposition leaders such as Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz and Avigdor Lieberman in a unity government. This government could stabilize Israel internally, provide a united front in both war and peace, and set a one-year election date to give the public a voice in shaping the country’s future. This would also improve Israel’s tarnished image abroad.

Such a move would show the world that Israel is capable not only of military victories but also of good governance and long-term planning. A unity government would be a signal that the Israeli leadership is ready to manage the complexities of post-Sinwar Gaza, deal with the threat from Hezbollah and seize the opportunities presented by the Biden-Saudi plan.

From this perspective, Sinwar’s death could be more than a military victory. If Israel seizes this moment, it can turn this tactical success into a strategic triumph that transforms Gaza, neutralizes Hezbollah and paves the way for a new era of peace with Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab world. At home, a newly formed government would provide the stability and consensus needed to guide Israel through these critical challenges.

The death of Yahya Sinwar provides a unique opportunity to end the cycle of endless war. With vigorous military action, wise diplomacy and political unity, Israel can move forward to a new dawn – one in which security and peace are finally within reach.

Dan Perry is a former Associated Press regional editor for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, chairman of the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem, and author of two books on Israel. Follow him at danperry.substack.com