Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the group’s operations in Gaza, as the new global political chief. This decision comes in the wake of the assassination of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed during an Israeli operation in Tehran on July 31. The appointment was announced on Tuesday, coinciding with rising tensions across the Middle East. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for Haniyeh’s murder, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the attack.
Sinwar, viewed by Israel as a primary public enemy, is seen as the architect behind Hamas’ attacks on October 7. He now faces the challenge of leading the movement through a precarious period from an undisclosed location in Gaza. By selecting him as leader, Hamas sends a strong message of resistance to the Israeli government. However, it remains unclear how Sinwar will be able to communicate with his colleagues in Hamas, manage day-to-day political operations, and negotiate ceasefires while being on the run. Israeli officials have openly stated their intention to eliminate him.
Born in 1962 in Khan Younis, Sinwar is known for his hardline stance as one of the top leaders of Hamas. He was arrested multiple times by Israel in the early 1980s for his involvement in anti-occupation activism at the Islamic University of Gaza. After completing his education, he helped establish a network of fighters for armed resistance against Israel, which later evolved into the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.
Sinwar became a leader of Hamas almost immediately after the group was founded in 1987. The following year, he was arrested and sentenced to four life terms for his alleged involvement in the capture and killing of two Israeli soldiers, as well as four suspected Palestinian collaborators. He spent 23 years in Israeli prison, where he learned Hebrew and became well-acquainted with Israeli affairs. He was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange involving Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been captured by Hamas.
After his release, Sinwar quickly rose through the ranks of Hamas again, becoming the leader of Hamas in Gaza in 2017. Unlike Haniyeh, who traveled regionally and spoke publicly during the ongoing war against Gaza, Sinwar has not made many public statements since October 7.
In a 2021 interview with Vice News, Sinwar stated that while Palestinians do not wish for war due to its severe costs, they will not “wave the white flag.” He criticized the international community for failing to intervene against Israeli aggression, saying, “Unfortunately, the world just stood and watched.”
Sinwar’s tenure as political leader will be closely monitored, as his tactics and decisions will play a central role in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.