The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is raising new questions over the course of the war and the fate of hostages still held by the terrorist group, with the U.S. calling on both sides to seize the opportunity to end the fighting, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning a long road lies ahead.

While Sinwar was considered the main obstacle in achieving a cease-fire and hostage deal over the course of a year of negotiations, Netanyahu has also been criticized as moving the goal posts in talks, and prioritizing the military operation to eliminate Hamas over diplomacy to release hostages.

Approximately 101 hostages remain in Hamas captivity since they were kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7. Dozens of those hostages are believed dead, with their bodies still held as bargaining chips by Hamas to extract the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the drawdown of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

President Biden and Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said in reaction to Sinwar’s killing that there is now an opportunity for a “day after” in Gaza without Hamas in power.

“This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, and it must end such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said in remarks from Wisconsin.

But........

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