Hamas names Yahya al-Sinwar as new politburo chief

Al-Sinwar, a prominent figure within the organization and a former prisoner, has played a key role in Hamas' operations, including the recent Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7.

In a statement, Hamas declared: "After in-depth and extensive consultations and deliberations in our leadership institutions, brother leader Yahya Sinwar was chosen as head of the political bureau." The announcement underscores the confidence the organization has in Sinwar's leadership during what it describes as "sensitive and complex local, regional, and international circumstances."

Al-Sinwar, born in October 1962, has spent a significant portion of his life in Israeli prisons. He was sentenced to four life terms in 1988 but was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange involving 1,027 individuals. Since then, he has regained a prominent leadership role within Hamas and was appointed head of the Movement's political bureau in Gaza in 2017.

Yahya al-Sinwar's background is marked by his early involvement in political activism and his steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause. Born in the Khan Younis refugee camp to parents displaced during the Nakba of 1948, Sinwar has been actively engaged in resistance activities from a young age. While studying at the Islamic University of Gaza, he led the Islamic Bloc and earned a Bachelor's degree in Arabic Studies.

His dedication to the cause intensified during his imprisonment, where he formed connections with other Palestinian revolutionaries, including Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the founder of Hamas. After his release in 1985, he founded the Al-Majd organization, which later became part of Hamas, focusing on eliminating perceived traitors and collaborating spies in Gaza.

Al-Sinwar's leadership has been pivotal in several significant operations. In 2018, he led the Great March of Return, aiming to break the siege on Gaza, which was met with severe force by Israeli security. More recently, he masterminded the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, further cementing his role as a strategic leader within Hamas. (ILKHA)