Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Israel Katz, on Tuesday called for the “swift elimination” of Yahya Sinwar, the newly elected leader of Hamas’ political wing.
In a post on X, Katz called Sinwar an “arch-terrorist,” adding that his “appointment” provides “yet another compelling reason” to eradicate him and the organization he leads.
The appointment of arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar as the new leader of Hamas, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, is yet another compelling reason to swiftly eliminate him and wipe this vile organization off the face of the earth.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) August 6, 2024
Sinwar replaces Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran last week in an attack widely attributed to Israel, although Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility. Sinwar has led Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza since 2017.
Hamas’ leadership in Doha unanimously voted for Sinwar as overall leader, a choice that one Hamas official called “a message of defiance to Israel,” according to a BBC report.
Haniyeh had been viewed as a pragmatic figure compared to other Hamas leaders, someone “open to solutions,” the official said. In contrast, Sinwar is viewed as one of Hamas’s most extreme figures.
Sinwar’s elevation comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iran has vowed “severe” consequences for Israel in response to the assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil.
In the wake of Iran’s threats, the US on Friday announced plans to increase its military presence in the region.
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, has dispatched additional fighter jets and warships to support Israel in anticipation of potential retaliation from Iran, reports the New York Times.
The assassination of Haniyeh is widely seen as a setback for ceasefire negotiations. Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden remarked that the killing of Haniyeh “doesn’t help” efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
Analysts equally agree that rising tensions are escalating the risk of a full-scale war. The Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) released a report last week suggesting that Haniyeh’s death diminishes prospects for ending the conflict.
“The unprecedented attack on Iranian soil demonstrates Netanyahu’s willingness to escalate regional tensions with Israel’s adversaries,” according to the institute’s report.
It further notes that while Iran has avoided direct conflict with Israel, the “sophisticated killing of Haniyeh is a significant blow to Iranian security services, likely requiring a stronger response.”