Lagatar24 Desk
Palestinian Territories: Yahya Sinwar, a figure long associated with Hamas’s internal security and military operations, has risen to leadership amidst the group’s ongoing conflict with Israel. Previously the Gaza chief, Sinwar steps into the role following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an event that has significantly escalated tensions across the Middle East.
Sinwar’s appointment as Hamas leader signals the group’s continued commitment to its resistance strategy. “Hamas is sending a strong message to the occupation that Hamas continues its path of resistance,” a senior Hamas official told AFP.
Accused of orchestrating the deadly October 7 attacks on Israel, which resulted in 1,198 deaths and 251 hostages according to official figures, Sinwar has since been labeled a “dead man walking” by the Israeli military, although he has not been seen publicly since the attacks.
Leila Seurat of the Arab Centre for Research and Political Studies in Paris notes that the attack “took everyone by surprise” and “changed the balance of power on the ground.” The meticulously planned operation is believed to have been years in the making.
Sinwar, known for his austere lifestyle, is a security strategist with a deep understanding of Israeli culture and society, thanks to his 23 years in Israeli prisons. Born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, he joined Hamas at its inception and quickly established its internal security apparatus. He was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange after serving four life sentences for the killing of Israeli soldiers.
Sinwar’s leadership style contrasts sharply with his predecessor’s. While Haniyeh attempted to present a more moderate face of Hamas to the world, Sinwar has maintained a focus on armed resistance. The current conflict has seen significant casualties, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 39,653 deaths due to Israeli aerial and ground assaults in retaliation for the October 7 attacks.
Despite his radical approach to military strategy, Sinwar is known to be pragmatic in politics, advocating for negotiations when they serve Hamas’s interests. His vision includes uniting the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem into a single Palestinian state, a goal that remains elusive despite recent prisoner releases boosting Hamas’s popularity in the West Bank.
Sinwar, listed by the US as an “international terrorist” in 2015, is believed to be hiding in Gaza’s network of tunnels. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to find and eliminate him, urging Gazans to turn him in to “shorten the war.”
As the conflict continues, Sinwar’s leadership will undoubtedly shape the future of Hamas and its role in the region’s complex political landscape.
