Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group announced on Friday that it was entering a new, more aggressive phase in its conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, Iran declared that the “spirit of resistance” would be strengthened after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed.
Sinwar, who orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the Gaza war, was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli operation in Gaza. Western leaders viewed his death as an opportunity to de-escalate the conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the war would continue until all hostages held by Hamas were freed. He stressed that although Sinwar’s death was significant, the mission was far from over.
Sinwar had been in hiding in Hamas’ tunnel network under Gaza and was killed in a gunfight with Israeli soldiers.
His death may heighten tensions in the Middle East, raising the risk of a broader conflict.
