GAZA CITY (Diya TV) — Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as its new political leader in Gaza, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh who was recently killed in a presumed Israeli strike in Iran. Sinwar, a key architect of the devastating October 7 attack on Israel, steps into his new role amid a volatile regional landscape and escalating conflict.
The appointment of Sinwar, a hardliner with close ties to Iran, signals Hamas’ commitment to continue its battle against Israel. His selection follows a series of Israeli assassinations targeting senior Hamas officials, including Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, who was reportedly killed in a July airstrike.
Sinwar, who has been in hiding since the October 7 attack, now becomes the most prominent figure within Hamas. His leadership marks a shift towards a more aggressive posture, reflecting the influence of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing.
Sinwar’s rise to power is expected to provoke Israel, which holds him responsible for orchestrating the attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 kidnapped. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated, “There is only one place for Yahya Sinwar, and it is beside Mohammed Deif and the rest of the October 7th terrorists.”
Sinwar’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, with heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Iran has vowed revenge for Haniyeh’s assassination, while Hezbollah threatens retaliation following the death of one of its commanders in Beirut.
The appointment has complicated ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Sinwar, known for his militant approach, is now the central figure in these talks.
Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan, speaking to Al-Jazeera, emphasized that the group’s will remains unbroken. “Hamas remains steadfast in the battlefield and in politics. The person leading today is the one who led the fighting for more than 305 days and is still steadfast in the field.”
Hamas’ allies, including Iran and Hezbollah, have praised Sinwar’s appointment. Khaled Kaddoumi, Hamas’ representative in Iran, described Sinwar as a “consensus choice” within the group.
Sinwar’s leadership solidifies Hamas’ stance, both politically and militarily. His deep connections with Iran and the Qassam Brigades highlight a shift from diplomacy to a more confrontational approach. This move has significant implications for the region, potentially derailing fragile ceasefire negotiations and escalating the conflict.
Analysts believe that Sinwar’s hardline stance will make it more challenging to reach a truce. Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on Foreign Relations noted, “The elimination of other top figures cleared the way for Sinwar. The killing of Haniyeh, a relative moderate, not only opened the path for Sinwar to claim full control of Hamas but also appears to have tipped the group into a more hardline direction.”
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. The AP reports nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, with large swaths of the territory reduced to rubble.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked that Sinwar remains a key figure in ceasefire negotiations, urging him to prioritize humanitarian concerns.
