Thursday, July 16, 2026

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of October 7 attack on Israel, as new leader

He joined Hamas in the 1980s and has been the leader of the group in Gaza since 2017.

• August 6, 2024
Yahya Sinwar (Credit: BBC)
Yahya Sinwar (Credit: BBC)

Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar, one of the brains behind the October 7 attack on Israel, as its new leader following the assassination of its former leader, Ismail Haniyeh.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announces the selection of Commander Yahya Sinwar as the head of the political bureau of the movement, succeeding the martyr Commander Ismail Haniyeh, may Allah have mercy on him,” Hamas said.

Mr Sinwar’s emergence as the new leader of Hamas was announced in a statement on Tuesday, days after its former leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Iran on July 31.

Before his new appointment as leader of the Palestinian group, Mr Sinwar had been an influential figure in the group.

He joined Hamas in the 1980s and has been the leader of the group in Gaza since 2017.

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