Hamas has announced that Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza. Has been chosen as the new leader of its political bureau. This decision follows the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. According to a statement from the Palestinian group on Tuesday.
In a brief announcement, Hamas said, “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.”
Yahya Sinwar, 61, is considered by Israel to be the mastermind behind the October 7 Hamas attack inside Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,100 deaths and more than 200 captives.
In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians. Including many women and children, displaced almost the entire population of 2.3 million. And triggered an unprecedented humanitarian crisis marked by widespread starvation and health emergencies. Reports have also emerged of systematic rights abuses, including the torture of Palestinians in captivity.
The assassination of Haniyeh, likely carried out by Israel. Shocked the region and is seen by many as an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to disrupt ceasefire negotiations, in which Haniyeh played a key role. Analysts suggest that Sinwar’s appointment. Which has remained largely out of sight since the October 7 attack, indicates the significant role Gaza plays in Hamas’s political strategy.
