Three months after the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, a new figure has risen to fill the void: his younger brother, Mohammed Sinwar. Yahya Sinwar was killed in October, leaving Hamas without an immediate successor. Initially, officials based in Qatar claimed to form a collective leadership council to guide the organization’s future.
However, recent developments suggest that Mohammed Sinwar has assumed control over Hamas operations in Gaza. Foreign Desk News reports that according to The Wall Street Journal, Hamas militants in Gaza are now operating autonomously under his leadership.
Mohammed Sinwar, believed to be around 50 years old, had close ties to both his brother Yahya and Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’s armed wing. With both Yahya and Deif now deceased, Mohammed Sinwar has become the most senior Hamas commander in Gaza.
Under Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas has continued its fight in Gaza, maintaining a hardline stance in ceasefire negotiations with Israel. He has echoed the firm approach of his brother, emphasizing the group’s resolve to achieve its demands.
Last year, Mohammed Sinwar conveyed to mediators that “Hamas is in a very strong position to dictate its terms.” He pledged to continue fighting until a deal was reached that, in his view, would “end the sufferings of all Gazans and justify their blood and sacrifices.”
Mohammed Sinwar’s rise to leadership represents a continuation of the militant policies championed by his late brother. His leadership could further shape the trajectory of Hamas’s activities in Gaza and its negotiations with Israel.
Are they going to fulfill Trumps demands of hostage release before the clock runs out?