ALBAWABA- Hamas has announced Yahya Sinwar as the new head of its political bureau, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel in Tehran last week.
The choice of Sinwar was unexpected, as speculation had centered on Khaled Misha'al or Khalil al-Hayya as potential successors.
Sinwar, born in 1962 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, has a long history with the organization and is known for his hardline stance and resistant background.
As a co-founder of Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Sinwar has been a key player in the group's military and political activities.
In 1988, he was imprisoned by Israel for his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of two Israeli soldiers. He served a life sentence but was released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal.
Since his release, Sinwar has risen to prominence within Hamas, particularly within its military wing. He was elected as the head of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, solidifying his influence within the organization.
Sinwar's appointment as the new head of the political bureau is significant, as it suggests a continued focus on armed resistance against Israeli occupation under his leadership.
