Yahya Sinwar: The Rise of Hamas’s New Political Chief

Yahya Sinwar: A Profile of Hamas’s New Political Chief

Yahya Sinwar has recently emerged as the political chief of Hamas, a shift that comes in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which he played a pivotal role in orchestrating. Sinwar, known for his significant influence within the militant group, has often operated from the shadows, utilizing the extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza. His appointment on Tuesday to replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly assassinated in Iran last week, marks a significant consolidation of power for Sinwar.

Formative Years

Born in 1962 in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar’s early life was profoundly shaped by the turmoil surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel. His family was among the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs who were either displaced or forced to flee during the conflicts that ensued. This personal history of displacement played a crucial role in his decision to align himself with Hamas during the 1980s.

Sinwar was personally recruited by Hamas’s founder, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, who entrusted him with the leadership of an internal security unit known as Al Majd. In this capacity, Sinwar was responsible for identifying and punishing individuals suspected of breaching Islamic morality laws or collaborating with Israeli authorities. This position ultimately led to significant legal troubles with Israeli forces.

A Crucible of Change

In 1988, Sinwar was imprisoned after being convicted of murdering four Palestinians whom he accused of apostasy and collaboration with Israel, according to Israeli court documents. His incarceration lasted more than twenty years, during which he not only honed his knowledge of Hebrew but also cultivated a deeper understanding of Israeli culture and society.

While in prison, Sinwar took advantage of an online university program, immersing himself in Israeli news and literature. He translated tens of thousands of pages of contraband autobiographies written by former heads of Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, into Arabic. This endeavor was aimed at providing fellow inmates with insights into Israel’s counterterrorism strategies.

Yuval Bitton, an Israeli dentist who provided treatment to Sinwar during his imprisonment, established a rapport with him. Bitton recounted how Sinwar discreetly shared his translations with other inmates, fostering a culture of study and awareness regarding the tactics employed by Israeli security forces. Sinwar often referred to himself as a “specialist in the Jewish people’s history,” a title that reflects his deep engagement with the subject.