Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as its new political leader in the Gaza Strip, following the assassination of his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran last week. The appointment has intensified regional tensions.
“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announces the selection of Yahya Sinwar as the head of the political bureau of the movement,” Hamas declared in a statement.
Shortly after the announcement, Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, launched a series of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel. This action has further escalated the already volatile situation.
Sinwar, who is accused by Israeli officials of being a key figure behind the October 7 attack on Israel, is now one of the most wanted militants. His promotion to the head of Hamas comes at a time of increased conflict.
The October 7 assault resulted in 1,198 deaths, mostly civilians, according to figures reported by AFP based on Israeli data. During the attack, Hamas also took 251 people hostage, with 111 still being held in Gaza. Of these, 39 are reported dead.
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Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s assassination, though Israel has not confirmed any involvement.
Deaths Due to the Conflict
In response to the October 7 attack, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza, under Hamas control, reports at least 39,653 deaths due to the conflict. The ministry has not specified how many of these casualties are civilians versus militants.
Sinwar’s appointment comes at a critical time, with ongoing violence and the situation in Gaza remaining highly unstable. As a prominent and hardline figure within Hamas, Sinwar is expected to significantly influence the group’s strategies and actions.
The international community remains concerned as the conflict continues to escalate, with the rocket attacks and military responses worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. How Sinwar’s leadership will impact the dynamics of the conflict and the future of Hamas remains to be seen.
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