Hamas leader "will drive the war into the wall"

He has been called "the butcher from Khan Yunis". And now, a ceasefire in Gaza is said to be in the hands of Hamas' new political leader Yahya Sinwar. He is uncompromising, he will drive the war into the wall, says researcher Magnus Ranstorp.

» Updated:

» Published:

Hamas leader "will drive the war into the wall"
Photo: Osamah Abdulrahman/AP/TT

Share this article

Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, took over as military leader in Gaza in 2017. Since then, the political leadership has gradually been minimized in the organization and the more militarily oriented forces have taken over.

It has always been up to him in the negotiations on Hamas' side, says terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp, who has written a book about the movement.

With Sinwar as political leader, Hamas strengthens its ties to Iran and the resistance axis led by Iran: Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi militia in Yemen, and the Shia militia in Iraq, according to Ranstorp. Sinwar's leadership will also make it more difficult for Palestinian political groups and Israel to cooperate after the war, according to Ranstorp.

He represents October 7, it is him that Israel is looking for in the tunnel systems, he says.

Hamas would like to have a ceasefire, but every time it is mentioned, Israel naturally wants something in return.

Ceasefire?

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the responsibility for accepting a ceasefire in Gaza now rests with Sinwar.

I think he means that Hamas must release the hostages. But Sinwar will never release the hostages unless Israel releases the over 5,000 Palestinians being held prisoner. It's a catch-22.

For Israel, it's not just about Hamas and the hostages anymore, according to Ranstorp. It's about the threat from Iran and the resistance axis.

You miss the bigger picture if you only look at Israel and Hamas. This is now also about Iran and Hezbollah. Israel is threatened from several directions and that must be remembered when discussing how Israel positions itself against Hamas.

Remains Popular

Hamas is governed by four power centers: the leadership in Gaza, the leadership on the West Bank, the diaspora in the rest of the world, and Hamas in prisons.

Despite the suffering Hamas has caused in Gaza, the movement has maintained high popularity there and on the West Bank, according to opinion polls from Palestinian organizations.

After the attack in October, many are supporting Hamas, according to Ranstorp. The organization has since the 1960s "spread its tentacles throughout society" and young people are "marinated" in Hamas ideology, he says.

Sinwar became an immediate leader for Hamas during his time in prison.

He is willing to sacrifice civilian Palestinians to make Israel react and damage its international reputation, that's part of his calculation, says Ranstorp.

Built up the internal security forces within Hamas (Majd) in the 1980s, which hunt for Palestinians who collaborate with Israel and punish them, as well as targeting homosexuality, extramarital relationships, and more.

Known as "the butcher" for killing Palestinians with knives and being ruthless. In 1989, he admits to having killed twelve Palestinians and is convicted.

Sits in an Israeli prison for 22 years. There, he learns Hebrew and sees himself as a great expert on Israeli strategic thinking.

Becomes an immediate leader in prison, known for his brutality.

Returns to Gaza in a prisoner exchange in 2011. Sees the opportunity to use kidnappings of Israelis as leverage to free imprisoned Palestinians.

After losses against Israel in 2012 and 2014, he, along with military forces within Hamas, takes over more and more. He is elected leader in Gaza in 2017.

Now, Sinwar is deep inside Hamas' tunnel system and communicates only through trusted couriers.

Source: Terror researcher Magnus Ranstorp

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

50 Sudanese Refugees Die in Libya Boat Fire

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Lebanon Military Seizes 64 Million Captagon Tablets in Major Raid

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

Gaza Conflict Death Toll Surpasses 65,000

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

EU Eases Proposed Cider Juice Content Regulations

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

Spain Arrests 19 for Torture and Murder on Migrant Boat

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Ministers and Trade Over Gaza

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Denmark Plans to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

Germany Warns Iran Over Lack of Action to Avoid UN Sanctions

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

Trump Welcomed by King Charles at Windsor Castle During UK State Visit

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting