Hamas named Yahya Sinwar as its new general chief, replacing Ismail Haniyeh who was killed in Tehran last week.
Since 2017, Sinwar has served as the group’s leader within the Gaza Strip. He will now become leader of his political wing.
Sinwar is believed to remain in the Gaza Strip, although his current whereabouts are unknown.
The announcement comes at a time of increased tension in the Middle East, as Iran and its allies threaten to retaliate for Haniyeh’s murder, which they blame on Israel. Israel did not comment.
“The Hamas Islamic Resistance Movement announces the selection of leader Yahya Sinwar as head of the movement’s political bureau,” a Hamas statement said.
Sinwar is currently at the top of Israel’s most wanted list. Israel’s security agencies believe he planned and executed the October 7, 2023 attacks, which left more than 1,200 people dead and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages.
Sinwar has not been seen in public since the October attacks and is believed to be hiding “10 floors underground” in Gaza. according to the US Secretary of State Antonio Blinken.
Hamas has not yet released details of how it will lead the group’s political office.
In 2015, the US included Sinwar on its blacklist of “international terrorists”.
