It’s unclear how Sinwar’s apparent killing could impact hostage negotiations, officials say

It is not yet clear how or if at all the apparent killing of Hamas leader Yahar Sinwar will impact ceasefire and hostage talks in Gaza, multiple officials told CNN.

One official in the Israeli government said Sinwar’s elimination would help efforts to secure a deal to release the remaining hostages in Gaza. Discussions will take place in the coming days about the implications of the apparent death in hostage negotiations, the official added.

However, others warned the lack of a clear, immediate successor could also complicate matters and put the hostages at risk. An Israeli source familiar with the matter said there were also concerns that chaos in Hamas’s ranks could follow Sinwar’s death.

‎There is a concern that, in the absence of clear leadership, the hostages could be killed — whether out of revenge or due to a lack of a plan on what to do with them.

Where things stand: Hopes for a ceasefire deal and hostage release deal have been shattered repeatedly by failing negotiations.

Talks are currently stalled, with Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the impasse. The prime minister of Qatar, one of the key meditators in talks, said Wednesday that there had been no negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal for almost a month.