Michael Lynk, a former UN special rapporteur, says the killing of Hamas leaders will only increase the resolve of Palestinians.

“Assassinating political or military leaders of your opposition — particularly of a people you’ve been subjugating — doesn’t lead anywhere. We know from anti-colonial movements over the last 80 years. For people who want to achieve their freedom, assassinations of their leaders only increases their determination, it doesn’t lessen it,” Lynk told Al Jazeera.

He highlighted the years of confrontation between the governments of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) until London realised negotiation is the “only way to bring a major modicum of peace to Northern Ireland”.

“That’s what is needed here is a political process. When you don’t offer people whom you’re subjugating any form of a political horizon that’s going to lead to freedom, then you’re going to expect resistance, rebellion, and retaliation. The assassination of these leaders is surely going to be a political dead end.”