Mohammed Sinwar, head of the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas—known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades—has been named the new leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Sinwar is reportedly the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader killed in October 2024. Sources indicate that Mohammed Sinwar is working to rebuild the group’s strength, which was significantly weakened by Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023.
After Yahya Sinwar’s assassination the Qatar-based Hamas political office opted for collective leadership instead of electing a new leader. However, fighters in Gaza refused to comply and now operate independently under Mohammed Sinwar. It is claimed that he had close ties to Mohammed Deif, the former head of Hamas's military wing, who was killed in an Israeli strike in July 2024.
Mohammed Sinwar, now around 50 years old, has reportedly been involved with Hamas for decades, heavily influenced by his late brother. Sources say he evaded Israeli intelligence for years, earning the nickname "The Shadow."
Israeli authorities allege that Sinwar was involved in planning the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. In 2011, Israel released 1,027 Hamas affiliates, including Yahya Sinwar, in exchange for Shalit.
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Based on TASS materials