Hello. The Israeli government has announced today that its forces have killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner tells us what it entails for the future of the conflict in the Middle East. In the US state of Wisconsin, election volunteers tell Mike Wendling why they worry about their safety. We also report on scams targeting Chinese communities and Kenyan politics. 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza

Sinwar was identified through dental and fingerprint analysis, Israeli police say. Credit: Reuters

The leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, has been killed in Gaza, Israel says. He was believed to have been behind the 7 October attacks and topped Israel's most-wanted list. "This is a significant military and moral achievement for Israel," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

What can we make of this news?

The loss of Yahya Sinwar is a seismic blow to Hamas. When the group chose him to replace Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of their political wing who was assassinated on July 31, it was a deliberate act of defiance and resilience. It could not have chosen a more uncompromising figure. But Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, has seen its leadership eliminated one by one, its fighters killed and its arms dumps blown up.

What can we expect from Hamas?

The group will have to decide whether now is the time to make a deal that ends the year-long Israeli military operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip. Or, conversely, whether to continue fighting and resisting, hoping to outlast Israel’s patience, despite the horrendous death toll this conflict has wreaked upon Palestinian civilians.

Is this changing the prospects of a ceasefire deal?

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said recently that a ceasefire deal in Gaza was "90% there". The killing of Sinwar could be an opportunity to finally complete that deal and bring Israel’s hostages home. It also risks doing the opposite: Driving angry Hamas members further away than ever from any kind of compromise.

• The latest: The "task before us is not complete", said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a TV address on Thursday night. Our live page has the latest on the Middle East.

• Who was Yahya Sinwar? Frank Gardner tells us more about the Hamas leader who took over from Ismail Haniyeh after his assassination in July.

• Also in Gaza: At least 22 people have been killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli air strike on a UN-run school sheltering displaced families, local medics and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency say.

THE BIG PICTURE

Blessing scams on the rise in Chinese communities

Mungnee feels she was drawn in by the scammers because she holds spiritual beliefs. Credit: BBC

Chinese communities in the UK, US and Australia are being targeted by Mandarin or Cantonese-speaking street scammers. They trick older women out of their valuables by persuading them their loved ones are in danger. Elaine Chong spoke to multiple victims who were defrauded because of their spiritual beliefs.

• Listen: Elaine Chong shares more on her investigation in the BBC's Documentary podcast.  

• Watch: If you prefer, you can watch Elaine's documentary on YouTube.

And finally... on television

The first trailer for Wallace and Gromit's holiday return to the small screen has been released. Vengeance Most Fowl is the pair's first full-length feature film in 19 years. The penguin villain Feathers McGraw is returning with revenge on his mind... Take a look.