Tel Aviv. Israel has stepped up its military action against Hamas, and in recent days has carried out several successful strikes targeting top Hamas commanders. In this sequence, Israeli Army (IDF) has also killed Hamas’ Supreme Leader Yahya Sinwar. After the assassination of Sinwar, the challenge for Hamas has come to the fore to choose a new leader. Hamas has adopted a new strategy, so that Israel cannot recognize their new leader.
Discussion regarding selection of new chief in Hamas
Discussions are going on in Hamas regarding the selection of a new chief. The names of five major candidates have emerged, including Mohammed Darwish, Khalil Al-Heya, Mohammed Nazzal and Khaled Meshaal. The report said that a consensus is being reached within the organization to keep the name of the next leader secret, so that the new leader can have more opportunity to avoid Israel’s attention. This decision has been taken with the aim that the new leader of Hamas gets a chance to work, without facing threats from Israel. Following the death of Ismail Haniya, Yahya Sinwar was appointed political head of Hamas. Haniya was assassinated in Iran in July while attending a function. According to Israel, Sinwar was the main planner of the attack on October 7, 2022, which killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage.
Official announcement of Sinwar’s death
The Israeli Defense Forces officially announced Sinwar’s death, stating that he was killed in an attack in Rafah, south of Gaza. Following the attack Israel declared war on Hamas, and began airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 43,603 people have died and 99,795 have been injured since Israeli attacks in October 2023. The ministry said that 84 people have died in the last 24 hours, while about 10,000 bodies are likely buried under the debris. This situation is giving rise to a serious humanitarian crisis in the region.