🔎 A victory for Israel, but the war isn't over
Also: Gen Z politicians, standing desks, Prada spacesuits and Tom Holland's new beer 🍺
The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israel is a momentous shift in the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, but it's not exactly a guaranteed “game over” for Hamas. For years, Sinwar was the ruthless face of Hamas’ military and political wing, and the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attacks that left thousands dead and pushed the Middle East into further chaos.
What happens now?
After eliminating a top Hamas figure like Sinwar, Israel's goal is pretty clear—it’s not a truce; it's victory. Israel has no interest in a ceasefire that would allow Hamas to regroup, like what happened after previous hudnas (ceasefires). Sinwar’s death means Israel can push forward in dismantling Hamas, but it’s also a mixed bag because it’s not just about eradicating leaders. Killing someone doesn’t kill the idea behind them, and in this case, the idea of resistance through violence is deeply ingrained. For Israel, this is a critical win, but they know all too well from past experiences that taking out one leader doesn’t mean the end of the movement. Hamas will find new leadership, even if they aren’t as charismatic or connected as Sinwar.
Gaza’s future is still uncertain
For Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza, Sinwar's death might not immediately bring relief—it could lead to more chaos. Hamas is weakened, yes, but the civilians are still stuck in the middle of an intensifying war. Israel’s strategy, while effective in the short term, leaves the question of Gaza’s future unanswered. Who will govern Gaza when the dust settles? Israel doesn’t want to reoccupy, but leaving a power vacuum could open the door to even more radical elements, and we all know how that could end. It’s a grim situation.
Implications across the region
Then, there’s the broader Middle East, where Sinwar’s death could shift dynamics even further. Israel’s allies like the UAE and Bahrain, are watching closely. These countries have taken a diplomatic risk by normalizing relations with Israel, and they need to see that their bet pays off. On the flip side, Iran is fuming because it sees any weakening of Hamas as a blow to its influence in the region. Iran will likely double down on support for its proxies - Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Sinwar’s death is a big headline, but it doesn’t mean peace is on the horizon. Israel might celebrate this as a major victory, but Hamas, as an organization, isn’t dead yet. Gaza still needs a governing plan, and the region is far from stabilizing. Israel's mission continues, Palestinians are left in a state of uncertainty, and the broader region waits for what could be the next chapter. A wider regional war isn’t guaranteed, but also very possible.
Dig Deeper:
↪ Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar Evaded Israeli Intelligence for Years. Military Trainees Came Upon Him. (New York Times)
↪Biden, Harris push for end to Gaza war after Hamas leader Sinwar's death (USA Today)
↪ Sinwar Is Dead. Will the Fighting Stop? (New York Times)
🔦 Zivvy’s Gen Z Spotlight
Zivvy News is committed to highlighting the work of young changemakers who are tackling key issues and making a difference in their communities and beyond. Ahead of Election Day, Zivvy News has spoken to several Gen Z politicians from both sides of the aisle. View our Gen Z Spotlight series here.
🗳️ Politics
➤ Young women say they are fighting for their bodies. Young men say they are fighting for their dignity
Journalist Rachel Janfaza sat in on a series of focus groups for young people. While no one was too optimistic about either party, it was clear that today’s young men and women are at odds with each other. (Free Press)
➤ A bipartisan issue: Young voters looking for criminal justice and supervision reform
A new poll from REFORM Alliance shows that a majority of young people support "modernizing the criminal justice system" and want the presidential candidates to address the issue, too. (The Up and Up)
➤ How Bret Baier’s combative interview with Harris compared to his sit-down with Trump
Interviewers make a choice every time they sit down with a newsmaker and start to ask questions. Do they start by warming their subject up or go straight for the jugular? Fox News anchor Bret Baier chose one way when interviewing former President Donald Trump last year, and a very different way when interviewing Vice President Kamala Harris this week in her first formal sit-down with the right-wing network. (CNN)
🌎 Around the world
➤U.S. strikes Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen
The strikes targeted facilities in parts of Yemen controlled by the Iran-backed group. (NBC News)
➤ Are 10,000 North Korean troops really heading to Ukraine?
Western officials are understood to be following the situation closely following claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He warned that the Asian country's involvement would be "the first step to a world war." (Sky News)
⚕️Health and wellness
➤ What is ‘cortisol face’ and why is TikTok obsessed with it?
Online influencers claim high stress hormones cause puffy cheeks – but experts say it’s not as common as people think (Guardian)
➤ Why standing desks could be bad for your health
Study finds stand-up working may increase the chance of developing circulation problems like varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (Telegraph)
💰 Money
➤ Why are Gen Z grads struggling to keep their jobs?
Many Gen Z graduates are finding themselves without jobs shortly after starting, with employers citing issues like lack of professionalism and motivation. (Zivvy)
➤ Meta fires staffers for using $25 meal credits on household goods
Meta has fired about two dozen staff in Los Angeles for using their $25 meal credits to buy household items including acne pads, wine glasses, and laundry detergent. (Ars Technica)
👩💻 Technology
➤ Don’t say ‘vote’: How Instagram hides your political posts
Washington Post Geoffrey A. Fowler tech columnist investigates how Meta’s Instagram, Facebook and Threads suppress content related to the election. Even discussing how to vote isn’t safe. (Washington Post)
➤ Prada and Axiom Space reveal modernized NASA spacesuits for the 2026 moon landing
NASA’s new space suits are getting a hand from Italian luxury fashion house Prada in preparation for humanity’s 2026 return to the moon’s surface. The suit is expected to be used for NASA’s historic Artemis III mission in 2026, marking humankind’s first return to the moon since 1972. (NPR)
🍿Pop Culture
➤ What we know about Liam Payne’s death, including some of the unanswered questions
Officials said Payne’s fall injuries alone were enough to cause his death, but prosecutors described Payne’s case as “suspicious,” citing the likelihood that the star had been drinking alcohol and taking drugs. The office also confirmed all signs pointed to Payne being alone at the time of the incident and authorities have ordered a toxicology report.
➤ Tom Holland launches non-alcoholic beer two years into sobriety: ‘I wanted to create something that reflected my lifestyle and values’
Tom Holland is the latest star to break into the non-alcoholic spirits space, two years into his sobriety journey. The new non-alcoholic beer, playfully called Bero, launched Wednesday morning and is now available to shop online.
🎓 College Corner
➤ The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong?
A decade and a quarter of a billion dollars later, students and faculty are more frustrated than ever. (New York Times)
➤ Meet the BU student who travels 170 miles to get to class
How far are you willing to commute to get to school? Would you travel 170 miles, driving almost three hours each way? For Courtney Frelix, a senior majoring in psychology, the answer is yes. Frelix journeys from Albany, New York, to Boston University three days a week to attend classes. (Daily Free Press)
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