Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau following the assassination of the group’s previous leader in Teheran. Sinwar, a hardline militant and the mastermind behind the 7 October attack against Israel, is believed to be hiding in tunnels under Gaza and is in control of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. His appointment comes after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the former political chief, in a bombing attack last week blamed on Israel. Sinwar, a founding member of Hamas and a former head of the group’s intelligence service, spent 23 years in Israeli prisons before his release as part of a prisoner exchange in 2011. Sinwar’s elevation raises doubts about the potential for a ceasefire deal to be reached, as he is known for his hardline stance and violent nature. Israel has previously targeted key members of Hamas’s leadership, including assassinations of top military and political leaders. The US president, Joe Biden, has expressed concerns about Israel’s actions, accusing the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of sabotaging ceasefire negotiations. Despite these tensions, Hamas’s spokesperson has stated that Sinwar will continue negotiations for a ceasefire, blaming Israel and the US for the lack of progress in reaching a deal. Sinwar’s appointment is seen as a move to consolidate power within Hamas and potentially escalate the conflict with Israel.
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Hamas appoints Yahya Sinwar, mastermind behind 7 October attack, as new leader
