Khalil Hayya, Head of Hamas in Gaza, has confirmed the killing of leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli forces in Gaza.
This comes a day after Israel announced it.
Speaking in a televised address, Hayya noted that the Palestinian group honours “the memory of the fallen martyr, Yahya Sinwar.”
He describing Sinwar as “steadfast, brave and intrepid,” saying that the Hamas Chief “sacrificed his life to the cause of our liberation.”
Sinwar, 62, spent his life organising, struggling and fighting against Israel before being appointed as Hamas’s political chief, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in a suspected Israeli attack in Tehran on July 31.
“He met his end standing brave, with his head held high, holding his firearm, firing until the last breath, until the last moment of his life.
“[Sinwar] has lived his whole life as a holy fighter. Since his early days, he was engaged in his struggle as a resistant fighter. He stood defiant behind Israeli bars and after his release in a swapped deal, he continued with his struggle and his dedication to the cause.”
Khalil Hayya
Hayya added that captives held in Gaza will not return until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza, withdraws its forces from the besieged enclave and “our prisoners are released from the prisons.”
He also vowed that Hamas will continue until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital.
Prior to Hayya’s statement, Basem Naim, senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, asserted that the Palestinian group cannot be eliminated with the killing of its leaders but stopped short of confirming the death of its chief, Yahya Sinwar.
He stressed that Hamas is a “liberation movement” led by people looking for freedom and dignity, “and this cannot be eliminated.”
In a statement, he listed several Hamas leaders killed in the past and said their deaths had boosted the group’s popularity.
“It seems that Israel believes that killing our leaders means the end of our movement and the struggle of the Palestinian people.
“Hamas each time became stronger and more popular, and these leaders became an icon for future generations to continue the journey towards a free Palestine.”
Basem Naim
He admitted that it’s very painful and distressing to lose beloved people, “especially extraordinary leaders like ours but what we are sure of is that we are eventually victorious; this is the outcome for all people who fought for their liberty.”
Hamas Likely To Select New Leader From Outside
Speaking to a news agency, Hassan Barari, Professor of International Affairs at Qatar University, suggested that in terms of who will succeed Sinwar, the question is whether Hamas will choose someone from outside or inside Gaza.
He noted that leaders in Gaza face difficulties in making decisions due to logistical and communication reasons.“I would assume that most likely they would pick one from the outside, maybe Khalil Hayya, as the Deputy, and the guy who is involved in all negotiations,” Barari said.
He added that it’s a priority for Hamas to have a leader so as to claim that their organisation has survived despite the numerous assassinations over the years.
According to the news agency, some names that could replace Sinwar are Khaled Meshaal – led Hamas’s political office from 1996 to 2017, Mousa Abu Marzouk – founding member of Hamas and its first chairman from 1992 to 1996, Muhammad Ismail Darwish – Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council since October 2023 and Mohammed Sinwar – Leader of the military wing of Hamas and Yahya’s brother.
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