Yahya Sinwar Named New Hamas Leader After Haniyeh's Death

Yahya Sinwar has been appointed as the new political leader of Hamas following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week. The announcement was made through a statement on the group's Telegram channel.

Who is Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sinwar, a founding member of Hamas, has been leading the group's operations in Gaza since 2017. He is known as the mastermind behind the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which ignited the current conflict. Sinwar has not been seen publicly since the war began, although the Israeli army claims to have footage of him in a Gaza tunnel on October 10.

Israeli Response

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli army spokesperson, has declared Sinwar a high-priority target. In December, the Israeli army offered a $400,000 reward for information leading to Sinwar's capture and distributed leaflets in Gaza to this effect.

Tensions Rise After Haniyeh's Death

The appointment of Sinwar comes shortly after Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran. Haniyeh was killed at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps guesthouse following the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas, Iran, and regional allies have promised severe retaliation against Israel, raising fears of a broader conflict, particularly involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Ceasefire Talks in Jeopardy

Negotiations brokered by Qatar and Egypt have stalled following Haniyeh's assassination. Hamas has declared these talks "clinically dead," with no immediate plans to resume discussions.

The impact of Sinwar's leadership on ceasefire negotiations remains uncertain.

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