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Edited by: TJVNews.com
The elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last Thursday marked a pivotal moment in Israel’s war against Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis. Sinwar, described as one of the masterminds behind the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, was responsible for orchestrating some of the most significant acts of violence against Israeli civilians, undermining the perception of Israeli security. According to terrorism experts, his neutralization by Israeli forces is a major blow to Hamas’ leadership and operational capabilities, particularly because he played a key role in uniting Hamas with Iran’s regional proxies, such as Hezbollah.
The New York Times reported that Sinwar’s life came to an end in the Rafah region of southern Gaza when he was hit by shrapnel, possibly from a missile or tank shell, which critically wounded his arm as he attempted to stanch the bleeding with an electrical cord, a method that proved ineffective, according to Dr. Chen Kugel, who performed the autopsy of Sinwar’s remains.
For over a year, Israel’s security establishment, backed by the United States, dedicated vast resources to its hunt for Sinwar, who was thought to be hiding in Hamas’s tunnel network under Gaza, the NYT report indicated. Ultimately, a unit of trainee squad commanders in the Israel Defense Forces unexpectedly encountered Sinwar above ground while on an operation in southern Gaza.
The reported circumstances of Sinwar’s final moments, could carry significant symbolic weight in the broader narrative of the conflict. The description of his last movements in Rafah, particularly the alleged attempt to access tunnel networks, provides a stark contrast to the official narratives of heroic resistance.
The involvement of both the IDF and Shin Bet in the operation, along with the subsequent DNA verification, suggests a high level of intelligence coordination and operational capability, according to a Jerusalem Post report. This kind of precision targeting of senior leadership figures has historically had significant impacts on terrorist organizations’ operational capabilities.
The response from Tehran to these events is particularly noteworthy. The Jerusalem Post reported that the public statements attributed to Iranian leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s characterization of Sinwar as “the shining face of resistance,” and President Pezeshkian’s description of him as a “tireless fighter,” reflect the ongoing importance of maintaining the narrative of resistance, regardless of operational realities on the ground.
From a strategic perspective, Israel’s success in neutralizing Sinwar sends a powerful message to Hamas and its supporters, including Iran and Hezbollah. His role in fostering closer ties between Hamas and Iran, as well as encouraging Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict, made him a key figure in escalating the regional war. The killing of Sinwar, along with other high-profile Hamas leaders such as Mohammed Deif, represents a significant victory for Israel and its intelligence services.
However, experts warn that Sinwar’s death alone will not bring an end to the conflict. Hamas has proven resilient, and its commitment to its ideological goals, such as the destruction of Israel, remains strong. The group’s ability to recruit and replace leaders has allowed it to persist despite numerous losses. Still, the removal of Sinwar offers Israel a strategic advantage and could create opportunities for future peace initiatives by weakening the group’s leadership structure.
On Tuesday, World Israel News reported that hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin told The Telegraph of the UK that Sinwar might have told Hamas terrorists to execute remaining hostages if he was killed.
Baskin, who assisted with 2011 negotiations for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Yahya Sinwar and 1,026 other Palestinian prisoners, said there are rumors that Sinwar might have left these orders and believes it could be the case based on Hamas’s execution of six hostages in August, according to the WIN report.
Baskin described the situation after the killing of Yahya Sinwar as “a moment of either opportunity or doom,” depending on whether the report that the Hamas leader left instructions on the fate of the hostages is accurate or not.
Following news of Sinwar’s death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered safe passage for any Gazan who handed over the remaining hostages.
Sinwar, 61, had spent years in Israeli prisons, where he learned Hebrew and carefully studied Israeli military tactics. The Associated Press reported that he emerged as a powerful and highly secretive figure, feared by both sides in the conflict. Despite his reclusive nature, Sinwar wielded immense influence in shaping the strategy of Hamas, particularly in how the group managed its relations with regional powers like Iran.
The Associated Press noted that the attack Sinwar helped orchestrate not only shattered the image of Israeli military invincibility but also drew the country into a widening and catastrophic conflict. Sinwar’s motivations went beyond military victory. As the AP reported, he sought to negotiate the release of thousands of Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli jails, mirroring the deal that led to his own release more than a decade ago.
Sinwar, who rose through Hamas ranks, was known for his brutal methods, earning him the nickname “Butcher of Khan Younis.” According to the Associated Press, Sinwar played a critical role in shaping Hamas’ internal security, purging suspected collaborators with Israel, and masterminding deadly attacks. Israeli army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari called him a murderer “who proved to the whole world that Hamas is worse than ISIS.”
Sinwar’s life began in the Khan Younis refugee camp in 1962, born to a family displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. An early member of Hamas, he was pivotal in convincing the group’s founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, of the need to eliminate informants within the organization. As head of Hamas’ security arm, Majd, Sinwar admitted to killing numerous Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. The Associated Press reported that during his interrogation by Israel’s Shin Bet, Sinwar recounted his involvement in brutally executing these informants, including forcing one man to bury his own brother alive, an act he recalled with “happiness,” according to interrogator Michael Koubi.
Despite his ruthless reputation, Sinwar was respected among Palestinians for his defiance against Israel and his decision to remain in Gaza, unlike other Hamas leaders living abroad. However, he also enforced a strict regime, suppressing dissent in Gaza under his leadership. Sinwar’s legacy is one of both charismatic leadership and unyielding violence, shaping Hamas’ trajectory through his calculated brutality and strategic acumen.
According to the Associated Press, during his years in Israeli prison, Sinwar developed leadership skills by organizing fellow Hamas members, leading strikes, and learning Hebrew to better understand Israeli society. His time in prison, where he wrote a 240-page novel and built alliances across ideological lines, gave him unique insight into negotiations and the mindset of his adversaries.
One of Sinwar’s defining moments came in 2011 when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released him in a controversial prisoner exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. The Associated Press noted that Netanyahu faced heavy criticism for this decision, given that Sinwar and many others released had been imprisoned for their involvement in deadly attacks. After his release, Sinwar became a key figure within Hamas, working to strengthen ties with Iran and Hezbollah and focusing on building the Qassam Brigades’ military capabilities.
Sinwar’s ruthlessness also became a hallmark of his leadership. He is widely believed to have ordered the execution of Hamas commander Mahmoud Ishtewi in 2016 amid an internal power struggle, according to the Associated Press. This event underscored his iron grip on power and his willingness to eliminate potential rivals. Despite his brutal tactics, Sinwar was known for his resilience, having survived brain cancer after treatment in an Israeli hospital in 2008.
In 2017, Sinwar was elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza. In this role, he coordinated closely with the group’s military wing, Qassam Brigades, and worked to realign Hamas with Iran and its regional allies, further embedding the group within the broader Iranian-backed axis, which includes Hezbollah and other militant organizations.
Despite Sinwar’s death, Hamas remained defiant. The NY Times reported that Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s deputy, stated that the loss would not weaken Hamas’ resolve, adding, “the banner will not fall,” reinforcing their commitment to continue their fight against Israel. This defiance contrasts sharply with the optimism expressed by President Biden, who called Sinwar’s death a “moment of justice” and an opportunity for peace in Gaza. Biden suggested that Sinwar’s death could pave the way for a Gaza free from Hamas, and he is sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel to discuss securing the territory post-war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also responded, noting that while Sinwar’s death is significant, it is not the end of the conflict. Netanyahu declared that Israel would continue its military operations against Hamas, stating in a video address, “This is not the end of the war in Gaza. It is the beginning of the end.” According to The NYT, both Biden and Netanyahu agreed that Sinwar’s death may open up opportunities to negotiate the release of hostages still held by Hamas, a key issue in the ongoing conflict.
Following the death of Sinwar, Hamas is preparing to appoint a new leader, with discussions set to begin soon, according to two officials who spoke with the BBC. Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s deputy and current leader of the Hamas delegation in ceasefire talks, is a strong candidate to succeed him. Based in Qatar, al-Hayya is seen as a key figure due to his deep understanding of Gaza’s complexities.
While Hamas plans to formally elect a new leader in March, al-Hayya is already managing most political and foreign affairs. Until then, the group will be run by a five-member committee, which includes al-Hayya and other senior figures such as Khaled Meshaal and Zaher Jabarin. The BBC reported that Hamas is considering keeping its new leader’s identity secret for security reasons, as it did in 2003 after the assassinations of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Dr. Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi.
The official indicated that Khalil al-Hayya has assumed responsibility for most political and foreign affairs in addition to his direct oversight of Gaza-related matters and is effectively the acting head of the movement.
The official added that Hamas had been surprised by the way Sinwar had been killed last week as their understanding had been that he was in a much more secure location at the time of his assassination.
Sinwar’s death came just two months after the killing of former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The BBC has reported that Hamas’ demands at this juncture include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the transfer of humanitarian aid, and the rebuilding of Gaza—a stance Israel refuses, insisting on Hamas’ surrender. Sinwar’s leadership had long been viewed as a barrier to peace talks, and despite his assassination, Hamas has made it clear that surrender is not an option. Officials emphasized, “We will fight until the last bullet,” mirroring Sinwar’s unwavering defiance.
Hamas has demonstrated resilience in the face of leadership losses over the years, with the group consistently finding new leaders to take command. As the BBC highlighted, even amid this upheaval, questions about the fate of Israeli hostages remain. Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya’s brother, has emerged as a key figure, likely leading armed groups and shaping the future of Hamas’ operations in Gaza. His role, especially regarding the hostages, may prove pivotal in the ongoing conflict.
The relationship between Hamas and Iran has been one of strategic importance for both parties, forming a critical component of what Iran terms the “axis of resistance.” This alliance network, stretching across multiple Middle Eastern countries, has been central to Iran’s regional strategy, particularly in its opposition to Israel, which Iranian leadership has historically referred to as the “Little Satan.”
The connection between Hamas leadership and Iran’s military establishment, particularly through the Quds Force, represents a significant aspect of Iran’s proxy warfare strategy in the region. The Quds Force, first under Qasem Soleimani and later under Esmail Qaani, has played a pivotal role in coordinating and supporting various regional militant groups, with Hamas being a key component of this network.
On Tuesday. The Jewish News Syndicate reported that in a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership, the IDF confirmed the death of senior Hezbollah commander Hashem Safieddine, along with 24 other operatives, in a targeted airstrike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood. This strike, which occurred approximately three weeks prior, targeted Hezbollah’s main intelligence headquarters, which was deliberately concealed beneath civilian infrastructure. According to the IDF, the operation was part of a larger effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s military command, which has been a key instrument of Iranian influence in Lebanon.
The airstrike was carried out by the Israeli Air Force in collaboration with intelligence services, following months of surveillance and planning. As reported by JNS, the IDF stated that the strike was “intelligence-based” and specifically designed to avoid civilian casualties, despite Hezbollah’s deliberate choice of locating military facilities in densely populated areas. Along with Safieddine, Ali Hussein Hazima, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, was also killed, further weakening Hezbollah’s operational capacity in the region.
Hashem Safieddine was a central figure in Hezbollah’s leadership structure, serving as the head of the group’s Executive Council. His death marks a significant loss for the organization, as he frequently acted as Hezbollah’s de facto leader when Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s secretary-general, was outside Lebanon. JNS reported that Safieddine was a first cousin of Nasrallah, who was himself killed in an Israeli airstrike in September. The ongoing dismantling of Hezbollah’s leadership cadre has sent ripples throughout the Middle East, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserting that Hezbollah now faces an unprecedented leadership vacuum.
Further cementing his importance within Hezbollah, Safieddine’s familial ties extended deep into Iran’s power structure. According to JNS, his brother Abdullah Safieddine serves as Hezbollah’s representative in Tehran, while his eldest son, Reza, is married to a daughter of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-Quds Force. Soleimani’s death in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq in 2020 was a major blow to Iran’s regional operations, and Safieddine’s death compounds the challenges faced by Tehran’s proxy forces in the region.
