Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as its new leader after Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination. Sinwar is now the head of Hamas’ political bureau. This change follows the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, as announced by the Palestinian group on Tuesday.
“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announces the selection of Commander Yahya Sinwar as the head of the political bureau of the movement, succeeding the martyr Commander Ismail Haniyeh, may [God] have mercy on him,” Hamas stated briefly.
Yahya Sinwar, 61, is regarded by Israel as the mastermind of the October 7 attack by Hamas inside Israeli territory. This attack resulted in over 1,100 deaths and more than 200 captives. Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza has caused nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths, including thousands of women and children. The conflict has displaced almost the entire population of 2.3 million and led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with widespread starvation and health emergencies. Reports of systematic rights abuses, such as the torture of Palestinians in captivity, have also emerged.
The assassination of Haniyeh, likely by Israel, shocked the region. Many saw it as an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to disrupt ceasefire negotiations, where Haniyeh was a key figure. Analysts believe Sinwar’s appointment underscores Gaza’s central role in Hamas’ political vision.
“He [Sinwar] has risen to a significant position in Hamas, leading it in Gaza. Naming him as the movement’s leader now highlights Gaza’s prominence in the ongoing events and in Hamas’ internal dynamics,” said Nour Odeh, a Palestinian political analyst based in Ramallah “It signals that Gaza is pivotal in ceasefire negotiations.”
Hezbollah welcomed Sinwar’s appointment, describing it as a strong message to Israel and the United States, showing Hamas’ unity. “Selecting Yahya Sinwar from the heart of besieged Gaza – who is present on the frontlines with resistance fighters and among his people, under the rubble, blockade, killings, and starvation – reasserts that the enemy’s goals by killing leaders have failed,” Hezbollah said in a statement.
Born in a Gaza refugee camp south of Khan Younis, Sinwar was the former head of the Al-Majd security apparatus, responsible for eliminating Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. He became the leader of Hamas in Gaza in 2017.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sought arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders, including Sinwar, over alleged war crimes committed on October 7. Warrants have also been sought for some Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu and Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Despite Israel’s vow to destroy Hamas and its highly destructive military campaign, the Palestinian group has continued to resist Israeli forces in Gaza. Sinwar has managed to evade capture by Israel, despite Gallant’s proclamation that Sinwar was living “on borrowed time” after October 7.
“I think the focus on Gaza and on Sinwar is a major signal of defiance,” Senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said. “It shows that Hamas is not about to lose Gaza and that Hamas will remain a power within Gaza, with its leader present there.”
