By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies
Doha, August 6, 2024 — After two days of intense negotiations in Doha, Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new overall leader, replacing Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in Tehran last week. Sinwar, who has been leading the group inside the Gaza Strip since 2017, will now take charge of the political wing of the organization.
The decision comes during a period of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iranian and allied factions have threatened retaliation for Haniyeh’s assassination, which they attribute to Israel. Although Israel has not commented on these allegations, the situation has further inflamed regional conflicts.
The selection process for Hamas’s new leader was marked by deliberation among the group’s top figures. The leadership considered various candidates but ultimately focused on two: Sinwar and Mohammed Hassan Darwish, who heads the General Shura Council, responsible for electing Hamas’s Politburo. The council unanimously voted in favor of Sinwar, a choice described as a “message of defiance to Israel” by a senior Hamas official.
Sinwar’s appointment represents a significant shift for Hamas. While his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was seen as a pragmatic and diplomatic figure, Sinwar is recognized for his hardline stance. Known as one of Hamas’s most extreme members, Sinwar is currently one of Israel’s most-wanted individuals. Israeli security agencies accuse him of orchestrating the October 7, 2023 attacks, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals.
Sinwar, born in Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza in 1962, founded Hamas’s security service Majd in the late 1980s. This service was notorious for targeting alleged Palestinian collaborators with Israel. After being imprisoned by Israel in 1988 and sentenced to four life terms, Sinwar was released in a 2011 prisoner exchange involving Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas.
Despite his prominent role within Hamas, Sinwar remains a controversial figure. He is listed as an “international terrorist” by the US, reflecting his significant impact on both Palestinian and Israeli politics.
The ramifications of Sinwar’s new role will likely be profound, influencing not only Hamas’s internal dynamics but also its external relations, particularly with Israel and its allies. As tensions continue to mount, the international community will be closely watching how Sinwar’s leadership shapes the future of Hamas and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.