The Hamas movement surprised both Palestinians and Israel by announcing last night that Yahya Sinwar will replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated last week in Tehran, as the chairman of the political bureau.
The duration of Sinwar’s appointment remains unclear, as internal elections in Hamas are supposed to take place in about a year.
Recently, severe disagreements have emerged within Hamas regarding the selection of Ismail Haniyeh’s successor.
Senior Hamas officials supported the re-election of Khaled Mashal, who held the position until 2017.
However, Yahya Sinwar and Iran opposed his election due to his affiliation with the “Muslim Brotherhood” movement led by Qatar and Turkey, his conflicts with Iran and Syria, and his strained relations with Sinwar and the heads of the military wing in Gaza.
A compromise proposal suggested appointing Muhammad Ismail Darwish, head of the Shura Council of Hamas, but ultimately Yahya Sinwar was chosen.
Sinwar’s election symbolizes the victory of the pro-Iranian wing within Hamas’ leadership and shifts the movement’s decision-making center from abroad to Gaza, especially since the war is ongoing.
His election reflects the Hamas leadership’s confidence in Yahya Sinwar, making him the most powerful figure in the movement and strengthening his position among Palestinians. Despite harsh criticism for dragging Gaza into a new and difficult Nakba, Sinwar’s election emphasizes Hamas’ jihadist path aimed at destroying Israel.
By choosing Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leadership challenges Israel and secures continued military and financial support from Iran while the war in Gaza persists.
Yahya Sinwar, along with Muhammad Deif, the supreme commander of Hamas’ military wing who was recently eliminated by Israel, planned the October 7 massacre in the settlements surrounding Gaza.
Sinwar currently holds 115 Israeli hostages, which Hamas views as their main bargaining chip in the conflict with Israel.
The Hamas leadership sees these hostages as the key to remaining in power in Gaza, causing the withdrawal of IDF forces, securing the release of numerous security prisoners from Israeli jails, and rehabilitating Gaza.
Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a prominent Hamas activist and commentator, stated that the election of Yahya Sinwar is a “challenging message to Israel.”
According to him, “Sinwar’s internal election came naturally as he is Ismail Haniyeh’s deputy and the head of Hamas in Gaza.
He is a strong personality capable of managing affairs, making it natural for him to be chosen.”
Al-Madhoun added that Sinwar’s election signifies that Hamas is prepared to continue the conflict with Israel to the end.
Israel was also taken aback by Sinwar’s election as the head of Hamas’ political bureau.
The political echelon has yet to respond officially, but senior security officials believe this move will accelerate efforts to locate Sinwar’s hiding place in Gaza and eliminate him as soon as possible.
Yahya Sinwar was imprisoned in Israel after being convicted of several murders of Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel.
He was released in 2011 as part of the Shalit deal. Sinwar is responsible for the deaths of 1,200 Israelis in the October 7 massacre.
He is a master terrorist whose main goal is the destruction of Israel.
He aspires to become the great Muslim leader fighting against infidels, modeling himself after the Muslim general Salah ad-Din Alayoubi, who captured Jerusalem from the Crusaders.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told Al-Arabiya channel last night that Yahya Sinwar is a terrorist responsible for the most criminal act of terrorism in history, the massacre on October 7. Sinwar’s place is next to Muhammad Deif and all the terrorists responsible for this massacre.
