I don't think it could be part of the Segwit 2x plan. This would increase confirmation times and time to find new blocks, but it wouldn't kill the old chain. As others have said - I think it is market related. New mining capacity coming in and miners moving from BCH.
you kill the old chain with a bunch of gradual steps. you don't kill it stone dead instantly.
you make it unattractive to mine and use by making it slow and expensive. it's a snowball effect. once a few people abandon it then more join. before you know it it's having its life support turned off.
no one thinks a move of this magnitude isn't slightly aligned with the upcoming fork?