The Palestinian extremist group Hamas on Friday confirmed the death of its leader Yehya al-Sinwar, considered the mastermind of the October 7 attacks on Israel that sparked the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas’ political wing, told the Hamas-run al-Aqsa broadcaster that he mourned the death of the “martyr” al-Sinwar, one day after Israel announced his killing in southern Gaza. However, hopes that al-Sinwar’s death could immediately result in a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas were being dashed as fighting continued in bot…