The elimination of Hamas terror group leader Yahya Sinwar by the IDF opens up new options for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in dealing with the hostage situation in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu previously opposed a deal that would allow Sinwar to emerge unscathed, but now that Sinwar is eliminated, Netanyahu can register another significant achievement in the war against Hamas. The elimination of Sinwar also neutralizes political barriers to a hostage-ceasefire deal and gives Netanyahu greater capacity to influence right-wing parties in the government. With Hamas in disarray, the fate of the hostages now largely depends on Netanyahu's political power and interests.