First, it shows that one of the architects of the October 7 attack, Yahya Sinwar, is still effectively fighting in various parts of Gaza. Despite approaching a year since the start of the war, Israel, with all its advanced military, intelligence and espionage weapons, and its sponsor, the United States, have not been able to capture and kill him. This shows that Sinwar is a strong man capable of leading Hamas in domestic and foreign policy during the war - International Relations Researcher Mahmoud Alluch writes in an article.

The July 31 assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniya in Tehran raises several questions about the war and related conflicts in Gaza, the issue of negotiations, and the impact on the movement's internal situation and relations with the outside world. Nevertheless, the succession of the resistance movement's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar Ismail Haniya, indicates the future strategy of Hamas.

This election may come as a surprise to those who expected a person from its political wing to take over the leadership of the movement. But this is a natural reaction after the assassination of Haniya and Israel's brutal decisions, and the increased level of regional danger.

First, it shows that one of the architects of the October 7 attack, Yahya Sinwar, is still effectively fighting in various parts of Gaza. Despite approaching a year since the start of the war, Israel, with all its advanced military, intelligence and espionage weapons, and its sponsor, the United States, have not been able to capture and kill him. This shows that Sinwar is a powerful person capable of leading Hamas in domestic and foreign policy during the war.

His appointment also calls for unity between the movement's two wings: the military at home and the political wing abroad, refuting Israeli claims that Sinwar is isolated from the outside world and that there is conflict within the movement over Haniya's succession. By choosing Sinwar, Palestinian patriots sent three important "messages" to Muslims who were enemies and bystanders.

Solidarity and resistance to the invaders to the last breath

The jihadists' choice of Sinwar, in addition to demonstrating domestic solidarity between their Gaza and foreign wings, also sent a message that they would resist the Israeli occupation until the end. The news suggests that the movement is still strong and that while the Zionists and their emissaries have saddened Muslims by killing Haniya, the killings are shaping a new leadership capable of withstanding the challenges.

Israel killed the head of the movement's Politburo abroad in violation of international law in order to weaken the resistance in Gaza and restore its reputation after the October 7 attack and to demonstrate its military intelligence capabilities. Now he will have to face Sinwar not only as the architect of the Al-Aqsa flood or the leader of the resistance, but also as the leader of Hamas.

A message of shame to Binyamin Netanyahu, who is also being cursed by his own people

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promoted Haniya's assassination (although he did not claim responsibility) as "a beheading of Muslims and a success in war" against his opponents.

The movement duly responded to Netanyahu's claims by appointing Sinwar as Haniya's successor. Although the occupiers consider Sinwar to be the main culprit in organizing the October 7 attack and bombard his alleged locations with the most powerful missiles of the United States, they are unable to destroy the servant of God. This is a shame for the Zionists, who pretend to be in control of the world, and the leader of the state they are building by shedding the blood of so many innocent people.

Netanyahu has almost lost his position in this war and is seen as the main person responsible for the instability in Israel. Now the blood of thousands of Palestinian women and children and the leaders of Hamas cannot wash away his guilt.

The power of negotiation

The late Ismail Haniya was seen as a driving force behind Hamas's push to reach an agreement with the occupiers to end the war. His assassination to some extent ruined the chances of reaching such a deal. Many Israelis who want the prisoners returned say Netanyahu is unwilling to end the war and is an obstacle to a deal.

Indeed, Haniya's assassination exposed Netanyahu's ploys in negotiations to avoid an agreement and prolong the war as long as possible. As Sinwar's arrival at the helm of the liberation movement Netanyahu continued to deceive the world, he made it clear to everyone that he could no longer continue negotiations. The mediators now have to talk to Sinwar, who knows the insidious enemy well, in order to reach any future agreement.

The main priority of Hamas is to stop the Israeli carnage in the Gaza Strip and reach an agreement that preserves the strategic gains made after October 7.

Mahmoud Alluch, Researcher on International Relations