Meshal is a founding member of Hamas. His decades-long career in the terrorist organization has taken him from Kuwait to Jordan (where he survived an Israeli assassination attempt), to Syria (where he became head of the group’s politburo), and finally to Qatar, where Meshal emerged as the group’s chief envoy.

In Washington, Sinwar’s demise is a godsend for two reasons. First, since the lifelong Hamas operator was responsible for the most barbaric attack in Israel’s history, taking him out is the ultimate act of justice.

During his 22 years in Israeli prison, Sinwar was an avid student not only of Hebrew but also of Jewish history, including pogroms. His 2011 release brought another lesson: Sinwar, known at the time as the “Butcher of Khan Yunis” for his brutality in dispatching suspected informers,

His rise was the culmination of decades of planning and outmanoeuvring of opponents, turning a movement into the Sinwar show. In prison in Israel, this violent and calculating man became more systematic in his thinking,

The Hamas leader who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war.

A cease-fire and hostage release deal doesn’t look that much more likely in the wake of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death.

After Yahya Sinwar's death, Hamas is not defeated, says IISS Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy. he speaks with Jennifer Zabasajja on Horizons & Africa. (Source: Bloomberg)