Hamas names Yahya Sinwar its new political leader
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Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last week, Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new overall leader.
Sinwar, who spent half his adult life in Israeli prisons, was the most powerful Hamas leader left alive after the killing of Haniyeh.
His appointment comes after after two days of lengthy negotiations in Doha.
Though, the unanimous decision by Hamas comes at a critical point, with tensions in the Middle East rising rapidly.
Iran and its allies have vowed retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing, which they blame on Israel and the silence from Israel has only added to the uncertainty.
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Sinwar’s appointment is seen as a defiant move by Hamas, signaling a potentially more hardline stance against Israel. As one Hamas official put it, “They killed Haniyeh, the flexible person who was open to solutions. Now they have to deal with Sinwar.”
Born in a refugee camp in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, Sinwar, 61, was elected as Hamas’ leader in Gaza in 2017 after gaining a reputation as a ruthless enforcer among Palestinians.
