Israel Kills Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar: What’s Next for the Group?
Israel succeeded Wednesday in its year-long mission to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the man accused of being one of the masterminds of the October 7, 2023, attacks.
While Sinwar’s death is a huge blow for Hamas, it does not signal the immediate demise of the group. Hamas has vowed to continue fighting, asserting that the killing of leaders — including Sinwar — does not equate to the end of its movement.
As rumors swirl about Sinwar’s successor, here’s what we know about what’s next for Hamas:
It is unclear whether Sinwar himself left any instructions on who should replace him, but his younger brother Mohammed Sinwar is seen by many as his heir apparent. Like his brother, Mohammed is a hardline militant and recently became Hamas’ military commander.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy chief of Hamas’ political bureau who helped found the organization, could also be a contender to fill Sinwar’s shoes. He spent five years living in the United States before the FBI designated him as a terrorist and was ultimately deported.
Khaled Meshaal, the group’s former political chief, is considered a strong candidate for the leadership role as well. Meshaal has international recognition, having met with high-profile figures including former United States President Jimmy Carter, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
However, he may face challenges due to his past support for a Sunni uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Hamas, itself a Sunni group, is supported by Shia-majority Iran.
Sinwar’s deputy Khalil Al Hayya is regarded as another viable successor. He acted as the chief negotiator for Hamas during recent ceasefire talks in Cairo and is currently based in Qatar.
Expert Discussion
To gain further insights, we reached out to several experts in Middle Eastern politics:
Dr. Sarah Hassan, Middle East Analyst
“The assassination of Sinwar marks a strategic victory for Israel, but it is crucial to understand the resilience of Hamas as an organization. Leadership changes often bring new dynamics, but the group’s ideology remains firmly intact.”
Prof. Amir Khalil, Political Science Professor
“The emerging leaders like Mohammed Sinwar or Khalil Al Hayya possess experience, yet their hardline stances might affect their diplomatic engagement levels. It’s a pivotal moment for Hamas that could redefine its future strategy.”
Dr. Fatima El-Sharif, Counterterrorism Expert
“While the death of a key figure creates an opportunity for change, historical patterns have shown that such organizations often thrive on martyrdom, potentially causing a rally-around-the-flag effect among their supporters.”
What are your thoughts on the potential successors of Sinwar? Join the discussion in the comments!