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The killing of Yahya Sinwar leaves Hamas in disarray in Gaza and Benjamin Netanyahu strengthened in Israel. It may also boost the chances of a ceasefire deal involving the release of surviving hostages, especially if the US uses what leverage it still has to press for one. But it won't end the war, which after 54 weeks has left Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians no closer to an alternative source of leadership, Israel's army determined to maintain control of the strip and Iran defiant despite the collapse of its anti-Israel proxy network. In the end the IDF found Sinwar, the architect of October 7, by chance. He was thought to be in hiding in Hamas's tunnels but sources told the NYT he was killed above ground in a brief firefight with an Israeli infantry patrol unit in Rafah, near the Egyptian border. He was identified afterwards, gun in hand. His death was celebrated by some in Jerusalem. In Gaza, where growing numbers blame him for the destruction, it was not extravagantly mourned, at least at first. But he will be remembered as a martyr by what remains of Hamas, and will likely serve it in death as a recruiting sergeant.
