Sinwar as President: Hamas Nullifies the Effects of Haniyeh's Assassination

By Yousef Fares – Aug 7, 2024

Israel believed that the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh would restructure the movement’s leadership in a way that would be favorable for the Israelis. Haniyeh had aligned with Gaza’s leader and the Al-Qassam Brigades, who allegedly planned the Al-Aqsa Flood operation without approval from the competing faction in the movement which is led by Khaled Meshaal and Moussa Abu Marzouk. The Israelis assumed that without Haniyeh, a “moderate” leader would take his place. However, in response to the assassination, Hamas raised the stakes. The Hamas leadership appointed Yahya Sinwar as head of its Political Bureau, effectively countering the goals that the enemy wished to achieve when it assassinated Haniyeh.

Haniyeh was known for balancing between the “hawk” and “dove” factions within the Hamas organization. However, since Al-Aqsa Flood, he became one of the most uncompromising figures. He maintained a strong position during the negotiations: complete withdrawal from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, an honorable prisoner exchange, and reconstruction. He rejected all attempts to circumvent these demands. An informed Hamas source stated, “Israel assassinated Haniyeh because they saw in him another Sinwar—one who refuses surrender and resists all pressure, threats, and blackmail.”

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Hamas’ election of Sinwar sends several messages:

It dispels Israel’s understanding of Hamas’s leadership structure. Hamas sources told Al-Akhbar that Sinwar was chosen unanimously, without elections. This shows unity even among supposed moderates like Meshaal and Abu Marzouk.
The Political Bureau head in Hamas is equivalent to Israel’s prime minister. By choosing Sinwar, Hamas signals a strong desire for continued resistance and a complete rejection of surrender or retreat. It also reduces the external influence (from Qatar and Turkey) on Hamas’ decisions, because Sinwar operates from the tunnels underneath Gaza.
Regionally, this coincides with the war entering a critical phase, and it firmly positions Hamas at the helm of the resistance axis.
For negotiations, the selection of Sinwar reveals the Al-Qassam Brigades’ readiness for prolonged fighting. Hamas suggests it can fight for another four years, the length of Sinwar’s term.

This move undermines the strategic impact of Haniyeh’s assassination. Sinwar’s election is also a moral shock to the Israelis because their primary enemy now holds the highest position within Hamas. This comes after 10 months of war in which Israel has engaged in a sustained campaign to ruin Sinwar’s reputation among Gazans and within Hamas itself.

(Al-Akhbar)

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/DZ/SL