Threats remain but Sinwar’s death a glimmer of hope

The surprise assassination by the Israel Defence Forces of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar marks a major death blow to a Palestinian Islamist movement whose sole political, military and spiritual aim is the destruction of the democratic Jewish state of Israel (“ ‘Vile murderer’ Hamas chief Sinwar dead, Israel confirms”, 18/10).

From Hamas’s inception under spiritual founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin, who was himself assassinated in 2004, never once did Hamas detract from its extremist manifesto. Moreover, Yassin had declared as early as 1988: “It is not enough to have a state in the West Bank and Gaza. The best solution is to let all Christians, Jews and Muslims live in Palestine, in an Islamic state.”

But, while much of the world will celebrate that this dream of a future Islamic state has in some respects died with Sinwar, there still remains the danger that Iran and its other proxies will do all within their power to keep this dream alive.

Vincent Zankin, Rivett, ACT

There is no doubt that deceased terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar will be publicly mourned by some Australians, declared a martyr and a victim of Israeli aggression. This would be the same man who helped countless Palestinians and other Muslims achieve martyrdom, willingly or not, as human shields and cannon fodder. While he was alive there was no chance of any change for Palestinians; hopefully with his death there may be a glimmer of hope?

Bruce Collison, Banks, ACT

The head of another snake is severed. But those who imagine that the event will expedite an end to hostilities are misguided. There will be no Israeli withdrawal or setting down of arms while Hamas refuses to release the remaining 103 hostages, brutally taken more than a year ago. There can be no let-up until it avenges the Iranian rocket assaults on Tel Aviv, or until it secures its mission in southern Lebanon. All these conflicts are inextricably linked, and Israel will not consider its work done until its natural enemies in the region are neutralised. Israel’s allies in the West should have its back. Final victory will represent a win for those who abhor tyranny in all its forms.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Hamas leader Sinwar’s death provides at last the chance of peace for the whole of the Middle East. It now needs a coalition of Sunni Arab nations and Western allies to neutralise Iran’s capability to co-opt other states for its goal of regional supremacy as it has in Gaza and Lebanon. The time is now.

Ian Brake, Mackay, Qld

Tom Knowles’s letter (Letters, 18/10) expressed his belief that Israel ought to be held responsible for “sowing seeds of division … in the region”. I disagree with what I feel reflects a lack of insight and understanding of history.

In 1948 the Jews accepted the UN Plan, the Arabs rejected it, and five Arab armies attacked the new state of Israel the day it was declared. Greg Sheridan further acknowledged: “Three times since then Israel has offered a Palestinian state on generous terms, only to be met by rejection and murderous terrorism” (“Israel is fighting a just and moral war and needs our support”, 12/10). It is the Palestinians who will not accept the existence of a Jewish homeland, among whom there are perpetual plans for terrorism acts, whose people honour and whose government rewards their “martyrs”.

Alex Selby, Double Bay, NSW

An assessment of past Israeli failures will be necessary for a secure and peaceful future for all parties. Such a future is unimaginable while Hamas and Hezbollah exercise power in Gaza and Lebanon.

October 7, 2023 was a defining moment for Israel. Relative to population size, the best US point of comparison is the roughly 50,000 Americans dead in Vietnam. Unlike that, however, most of the dead and kidnapped on October 7 were not soldiers but civilians; babies, children, women and the elderly. Not killed in action on the battlefield over many years but murdered, mutilated, raped and taken hostage, as bargaining leverage, in and from their homes and a music festival on one day. Israel cannot return to pre-October 7 and survive. Hamas and Hezbollah are existential threats. Israel has to remove them. With Western backing and support if possible. Without if required. If UNIFIL is an impediment, Israel will simply ignore it.

Ramesh Thakur, Ocean Shores, NSW