Hamas names Sinwar new chief
Published: 05:08 AM,Aug 07,2024 | EDITED : 09:08 AM,Aug 07,2024
Yahia al-Sinwar
Hamas on Tuesday named Yahya Sinwar, as its new political chief following last week's killing of his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh.
The announcement came with the Middle East on edge as it awaited Iran's retaliation over the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran blames Haniyeh's death on Israel and has vowed to avenge him, while Hamas's Lebanese ally Hezbollah has also pledged to retaliate for his killing and that of its military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut hours earlier.
Sinwar has been Hamas's leader in Gaza since 2017 -- with Haniyeh living in Qatar.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Tuesday that it was up to Sinwar to help achieve a ceasefire as he 'has been and remains the primary decider'.
The announcement came with the Middle East on edge as it awaited Iran's retaliation over the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran blames Haniyeh's death on Israel and has vowed to avenge him, while Hamas's Lebanese ally Hezbollah has also pledged to retaliate for his killing and that of its military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut hours earlier.
Sinwar has been Hamas's leader in Gaza since 2017 -- with Haniyeh living in Qatar.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Tuesday that it was up to Sinwar to help achieve a ceasefire as he 'has been and remains the primary decider'.