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Friday, January 3, 2025

Hamas leader killed by Israelis. What does the death of Yahya Sinwar mean?

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A figure idolized by many Palestinians has died. The death of Yahya Sinwar is a big problem for Hamas, but for decades there has always been someone new on the scene. This will probably be the case now, the American newspaper “The Washington Post” emphasizes on Friday, wondering what killing him by the Israelis may mean for the ongoing conflict.

The newspaper notes that few Palestinian leaders have managed to “gain such a reputation” as Sinwara. The architect of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel was seen as a “ruthless” opponent of Israel and a “defender” of many Palestinians, and even before he took over the leadership of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2017, he had built a reputation as an unyielding ideologist.

The daily emphasizes that the death of Yahya Sinwar on Wednesday in an attack in the Gaza Strip was a triumph for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but also had “symbolic importance” after a year of war.

“His death is a serious problem for Hamas (…), but it will probably not be the end of the organization or bloodshed,” the American newspaper supposes. Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, said that killing the group's leader “does not really solve Israel's strategic problems.” He emphasized that “this fight is not about one person or one leader.”

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READ: The leader of Hamas is dead. Israeli army confirms >>>

“The photos (of the killed Sinwar – ed.) in which he is wearing a bulletproof vest may strengthen support for Hamas, because they allow him to idealize his image as a martyr,” emphasized “WP”. “Israel previously wanted to portray him as a cowardly leader who hides underground while Palestinians are dying,” we read.

Additionally – as the daily noted – although Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip has ruined this Palestinian semi-enclave and seriously weakened Hamas's ability to attack Israel, the organization remains strong in this area. According to one of the newspaper's interlocutors, Hamas is influential enough to eliminate other power structures that could replace it in the Gaza Strip after the war.

Israel has confirmed that a Hamas leader was killed in an attack in the Gaza StripMaciej Woroch/Fakty TVN

The newspaper noted that Hamas has survived the deaths of many leaders in recent decades thanks to frustration and anger among Palestinians. The daily recalled that in 2004, Israel killed one of the founders of Hamas, Ahmad Yassin, and the then leader Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi, which did not weaken the organization.

“Hamas sees itself as a national liberation movement. (…) If one leader dies, another comes,” Mkhaimar Abusada, a visiting professor of political science at Northwestern University in USA.

At the same time – according to “The Washington Post” – the leader's successor may prove to be more flexible. Potential candidates include: his brother, Mohammed Sinwar. Moreover, the future Hamas commander in the Gaza Strip will likely operate from across the border, which could make it easier for Washington to enforce a ceasefire agreement.

Main photo source: MOHAMMED SABER/PAP/EPA



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