On Tuesday night, Hamas unexpectedly announced that Yahya Sinwar is now the head of the organization’s political bureau, replacing Ismail Haniyeh. This move is surprising because Sinwar was not initially considered a leading candidate. His new role raises questions given that he is currently hiding in the Gaza Strip while being pursued. Sinwar’s appointment comes amid ongoing tensions between Hamas’s Gaza-based and external leadership, especially regarding negotiations for hostages and the war with Israel. His pragmatic approach could potentially improve prospects for ending the conflict and securing a better position for Hamas in Palestinian politics, possibly even strengthening their challenge to the Palestinian Authority and PLO.
Hamas made a surprising announcement on Tuesday night: Yahya Sinwar is now the head of their political bureau, taking over from Ismail Haniyeh. This makes Sinwar the new main leader of Hamas.
This change was unexpected. Sinwar’s name hadn’t come up in any of the speculations about who might replace Haniyeh. It’s curious because Sinwar is currently hiding in the Gaza Strip, trying to avoid capture, which makes it hard to see how he’ll lead the organization effectively.
For years, there have been tensions and rivalries within Hamas. These conflicts even existed during Khaled Mashaal’s leadership, but they grew worse after Sinwar’s release from prison in 2011, as part of a deal to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Since then, Sinwar has become a significant figure in Gaza, especially after being officially elected in 2017.
The rivalry has mainly been between Hamas leaders based outside Gaza and those inside it. Gaza is considered the core of the organization, and its leaders, like Sinwar, often see themselves as more crucial in making key decisions.
The tension increased significantly after October 7, when hostage negotiations began. Sinwar’s leadership in Gaza has been making the major decisions, unlike the external leadership. Sinwar favors Egypt as the mediator for these negotiations, while Haniyeh preferred Qatar.
Sinwar’s rise to power is even more surprising given the circumstances. He planned to run for the top position in Hamas in the 2025 elections, but being appointed now, amid a war and while hiding, raises many questions about how he will manage his new role.
It’s possible that Sinwar’s appointment was meant to advance the negotiations and end the war. The Egyptians, who are in contact with Sinwar, might have helped push for this change.
If Sinwar can succeed in this role, he might strengthen his position within Hamas and improve the organization’s standing. This could also help him make a stronger push against Fatah and aim to take over the Palestinian Authority and the PLO. His goal would be to present himself as a key leader who stands firm against Israel and maintains control in Gaza.
