GAZA CITY (Palestine), Aug 7 — The Palestinian group Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new political chief.
Sinwar succeeds Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran following his attendance at the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president on July 31.
Hamas announced this in a statement on its Telegram channel, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh, but Israel’s Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.
Sinwar, who spent half his adult life in Israeli prisons, is the most powerful Hamas leader left alive following the assassination of Haniyeh.
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 tough enforcer among Palestinians and an implacable enemy of Israel.
Israel's chief military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, blamed Sinwar for the October 7, 2023 attack and said Israel would continue to pursue him.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Anadolu Agency, “Hamas’ choice of Sinwar as its leader sends a message with significant implications directed to the enemy (Israel) and its allies”.
— Bernama-Anadolu Agency
