Yahya Sinwar chosen as new leader of Hamas in show of defiance
Now entering the tenth month of Israel’s offensive into Gaza, Hamas has decided to name the key architect of the October 7th attacks, Yahya Sinwar, as its new leader on August 6th, according to AP and agencies.
The decision has been viewed as a defiant move from the militant group, which has decided to side with the more hardline wing compared to its previous leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who is viewed as a more moderate figure.
Sinwar is regarded as a secret figure who has kept close relations with Iran whilst building up Hamas’ military strength. His selection for the leading role is likely to provoke Israel, who has had Sinwar at the top of their kill list since October 7th.
The announcement comes at an especially volatile moment in time, as fears of the conflict escalating into a wider regional war remain high, with Iran seeking revenge for Haniyeh’s killing and Hezbollah vowing retaliation over the killing of its top commander in Beirut.
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Last week also saw Israel announce the death of the head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike in Gaza in July, though the militant group has not confirmed his death.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced the government’s reaction to the appointment, stating, “There is only one place for Yahya Sinwar, and it is beside Mohammed Deif and the rest of the October 7th terrorists. That is the only place we’re preparing and intending for him.”
The selection of Sinwar indicates that the leadership on the ground in Gaza has now transferred from those in exile to the armed wing of Hamas known as the Qassam Brigades. Senior Hamas officials outside of Gaza have traditionally led the group while navigating relations with foreign allies and diplomacy.
Since 2019, Haniyeh has lived in self-imposed exile in Qatar, playing a direct role in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza with U.S., Qatari and Egyptian diplomats – though Hamas officials always ran proposals by Sinwar.
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Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera after the announcement that Sinwar would continue ceasefire negotiations.
“The problem in negotiations is not the change in Hamas,” he said, accusing Israel and its ally, the U.S., of the failure to reach an agreement.
Sinwar is among the three Hamas officials whom the ICC is seeking to find arrest warrants for, along with the now-deceased Haniyeh and Deif.
Hamdan added that Hamas “remains steadfast in the battlefield and in politics,” praising Sinwar and stating, “The person leading today is the one who led the fighting for more than 305 days and is still steadfast in the field.”
Sinwar’s appointment has gained praise from Tehran and Hezbollah. Hamas’ representative in Iran, Khaled Kaddoumi, has called the new leader a “consensus choice” popular among all factions.
AP and agencies
