Hamas names architect of Oct. 7 attack as new leader
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Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar (C) attends the rally marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day in Gaza City, Gaza on Apr. 14, 2023. Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Hamas named Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza who is the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, to head its political bureau after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by Israel last week in Tehran, according to an official statement.
Why it matters: The move anchors Sinwar's status as the top — and perhaps even sole — decision maker in Hamas both inside the Palestinian territories and in the diaspora.
Driving the news: Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al-Jazeera Sinwar was selected by consensus and said his elevation is a reflection of Hamas' understanding of the challenges in the current phase of negotiations for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.
- He said Hamas' negotiations team, which was led by Haniyeh's deputy Khalil al-Haya, isn't going to change. He added that Sinwar has always been part of the negotiations.
- President Biden spoke today with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar — the two key mediators between Israel and Hamas — and told them it is urgent to bring the process to closure as soon as possible, the White House said.
What they're saying: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press conference on Tuesday that Sinwar was and still is the main decision maker in Hamas when it comes to the hostage and ceasefire deal.
- "It's on him. It is a decisive point," Blinken said in the first U.S. response to Sinwar's appointment. He added that both Israel and Hamas need to avoid actions that will hamper finalizing the deal and work on concluding it "without delays and without excuses. It is time to focus on getting to yes."
- The Secretary of State added that the U.S. told Iran and Israel directly that nobody has an interest in escalating the conflict in the Middle East.
- He said that all sides need to understand that more attacks could lead to unpredictable and uncontrollable consequences, and therefore, it is crucial to take steps to lower tensions, not increase them.
The big picture: Sinwar is Hamas' only remaining senior figure after Israel assassinated the group's top military commander Mohammed Deif, political leader Haniyeh and his deputy Salah Arouri.
- Sinwar is an architect of the Hamas attack on Oct.7 when militants killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, most of them civilians, and took 250 more hostage. He is believed to still be hiding in underground tunnels in Gaza and is a key target of Israel's military operations in the Strip.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Blinken's comments.
