Meet Yahya Sinwar, boy from refugee camp who is now Hamas chief

New Delhi: Born in the Khan Younis refugee camp, Yahya Sinwar has been appointed as the new leader of Hamas. His rise to power, marked by ruthless determination, follows extensive deliberations within the Hamas leadership. The announcement, made on Tuesday, comes weeks after the killing of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by Israel in Iran.

"After extensive and comprehensive consultations and deliberations within the movement’s leadership institutions, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has decided to elect the brother and fighter leader Yahya Sinwar as the head of the political bureau of the movement, succeeding the martyred leader Ismail Haniyeh," read the official statement from Hamas.

Spent half his adult life in Israeli prisons

Sinwar spent nearly half of his adult life in Israeli prisons. His rise to leadership is a testament to his unyielding resolve to retaliate against perceived enemies. His appointment as leader follows Hamas' recent surprise attack on Israel, termed the "Flood of Al-Aqsa," which Sinwar had ominously foreshadowed.

In a 2022 speech, he declared, "We will come to you, God willing, in a roaring flood. We will come to you with endless rockets, we will come to you in a limitless flood of soldiers, we will come to you with millions of our people, like the repeating tide."

What happened on October 7?

On October 7, 2023, Sinwar’s threats materialised when Hamas fighters launched a devastating attack on Israel, resulting in over a thousand deaths and the taking of 152 hostages. Hamas expressed its confidence in Sinwar's leadership during this tumultuous period, hoping for "a clear and decisive victory."

A history steeped in conflict

Sinwar's background is deeply rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He started as an enforcer, targeting Palestinian collaborators with Israel, and his 23 years in Israeli prisons only strengthened his resolve against the state. After his release in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange, Sinwar remained a staunch advocate for Hamas' mission. He ascended to the position of Hamas chief in Gaza, orchestrating military operations and prisoner swaps.

An unyielding commitment to Hamas

Sinwar’s dedication to Hamas is profound. Michael Koubi, a former Shin Bet official who interrogated Sinwar for 180 hours, noted his intimidating presence and unwavering commitment. “He told me Hamas is my wife, Hamas is my child. Hamas for me is everything,” Koubi recounted.

'Haniyeh's leadership is an example'

At this pivotal moment, Hamas remembers their martyred leader Ismail Haniyeh. “At this historic moment, we remember our martyred leader Ismail Haniyeh, may Allah have mercy on him, who set an example of courageous, wise, and open leadership. We are confident that Abu Ibrahim and his fellow leaders will continue his path and the path of the previous leaders, preserving their jihadist and resistance legacy until liberation and return,” the statement read.