"'Hardliner' Sinwar Dead Hamas, New Leader Khaled Mashal"

With the removal of Yahya Sinwar, the 'hardliner' who led the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, by Israel, reports have emerged that overseas organization head Khaled Mashal has become the new leader.

Khaled Mashal meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) in Doha, Qatar last February.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Lebanese news channel LBCI reported on the 17th (local time), citing sources, that after the death of Hamas' top political leader Sinwar, Mashal has taken on the role of acting head. Currently, Mashal is also communicating with key parties involved in hostage release negotiations. The source added, "The Hamas leadership has informed officials from Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt about Sinwar's death."

Mashal, 68 years old this year, has been considered the most likely candidate since the possibility of Sinwar's assassination was raised. He previously served as political bureau chief from 1996 to 2017. The Daily Telegraph assessed that he not only has experience as Hamas leader but has also exerted influence even after stepping down. However, he has a somewhat strained relationship with Iran, which leads the 'axis of resistance.'

The news of Sinwar's assassination has brought the Middle East conflict to a critical juncture again. Since Israel's war objective in Gaza of 'dismantling Hamas' has effectively been achieved, international pressure for a ceasefire is mounting. However, it is uncertain whether Israel will respond to this. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The people of Gaza have an opportunity to be freed from Hamas' tyranny," but also stated, "The war is not over yet." Some speculate that Netanyahu, who aims to establish a new security order in the Middle East against Iran and others beyond just dismantling Hamas through this war, will not easily stop.

Sinwar, who was killed by the Israeli military yesterday in southern Gaza, was the mastermind behind the surprise Israeli attack on October 7 last year. Israel estimates that over 15,000 of the 30,000 Hamas members have died in the Gaza war over the past year. Prior to Sinwar, Hamas' political leader and top figure Ismail Haniyeh was also assassinated in an Israeli targeted airstrike in Tehran, Iran, last July.