Hamas Appoints Sinwar as New Leader in Defiant Move

Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza and the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks in Israel, as its new leader. This move signifies the rise of the militant group’s hardline faction following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, its previous leader, in a suspected Israeli strike in Iran.

Sinwar, a secretive figure closely tied to Iran, has long been instrumental in building Hamas’ military capabilities. His selection signals Hamas’ defiance and readiness to continue its struggle despite the extensive destruction caused by Israel’s campaign in Gaza and the assassination of Haniyeh.

Israel has placed Sinwar at the top of its kill list following the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in southern Israel and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. The appointment of Sinwar is expected to provoke Israel further.

This development occurs amid heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with Iran vowing revenge for Haniyeh’s killing and Hezbollah threatening retaliation over the death of one of its top commanders in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators are attempting to salvage negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which has been destabilized by Haniyeh’s assassination.

Hamas announced Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, replacing Haniyeh, who died in a blast that Iran and Hamas attributed to Israel. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Additionally, Israel recently confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, in a July airstrike in Gaza, though Hamas has not acknowledged his death.

Reacting to Sinwar’s appointment, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told Al-Arabiya television, “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.”

Israel’s targeted killings of multiple senior Hamas officials have elevated Sinwar to the most prominent position within the group. His selection indicates that the Gaza-based leadership, especially the armed Qassam Brigades, has taken over from the exiled leadership, which traditionally handled foreign relations and diplomacy.

Haniyeh, who had been in self-imposed exile in Qatar since 2019, played a direct role in cease-fire negotiations through U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediators, always consulting with Sinwar and other Hamas officials on proposals.

In a statement to Al-Jazeera, Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan said Sinwar would continue the cease-fire negotiations. He blamed Israel and the United States for the failure to reach a deal, asserting that Hamas “remains steadfast in the battlefield and in politics.”

Hamas’ allies, Iran and Hezbollah, praised Sinwar’s appointment. Khaled Kaddoumi, Hamas’ representative in Iran, described Sinwar as a “consensus choice” popular among all factions and deeply involved in decision-making, including negotiations.

Mediators have struggled to push through a U.S.-backed outline for a deal, with talks hitting obstacles over key terms, particularly the release of all hostages in exchange for ending the war and withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza. Hamas has demanded guarantees for an extended cease-fire until terms for the exchange are finalized. Israeli leaders have threatened to resume fighting to eliminate Hamas after an initial partial hostage release.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that Sinwar has the decisive power regarding the cease-fire. He said Sinwar must decide whether to pursue a cease-fire that would significantly aid Palestinians in need.

As Hamas’ leader in Gaza since 2017, Sinwar has rarely appeared in public but maintained a tight grip on the group’s rule. He has been in hiding since the October 7 attacks, which prompted Israel’s extensive campaign against Hamas. The death toll among Palestinians is nearing 40,000, with most of Gaza’s population displaced and significant destruction of towns and cities.

In May, the International Criminal Court sought an arrest warrant against Sinwar for war crimes related to the October 7 attack, as well as against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister for war crimes.

Hugh Lovatt, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noted that the elimination of other top figures paved the way for Sinwar’s rise. The killing of Haniyeh, a relative moderate, has allowed Sinwar to assume full control of Hamas and appears to have steered the group towards a more hardline stance.