Death of Hamas leader brings hope, peril

A demonstrator holds a sign about the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during a protest calling for a cease-fire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas on Oct. 17, 2024, in Tel Aviv, Israel. FILE - Yahya Sinwar, Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, places his hand over his heart after greeting supporters at a rally on May 24, 2021, in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip.

The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar after what appears to have been a chance encounter with Israeli forces has sparked renewed hope in Washington that the conflict that has ravaged Gaza and set the Middle East on the brink of a regional war could give way to a potentially peaceful resolution.