TEHRAN- A lot of political reaction has been pouring in since Hamas selected Yahya Sinwar as the successor of Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated by Israel a week ago.

Regional resistance groups have hailed Hamas for electing him as its political leader. 

Hezbollah: Hamas decision highlights Israel’s failures  

Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement hailed Hamas for appointing Sinwar as its new political chief. 

“Selecting the brother Yahya Sinwar from the heart of the besieged Gaza Strip – who is present (in) the frontlines with resistance fighters and between the children of his people, under the rubble, blockade, killings and starvation – reasserts that the goals the enemy is seeking by killing leaders have failed,” Hezbollah said in a statement. 

Islamic Jihad: Hamas remains strong 

The Islamic Jihad resistance movement said Sinwar’s appointment shows that Hamas remains strong despite Israel’s devastating war on Gaza. 

“The success of our brothers in Hamas in conducting internal consultations and filling the vacancy in the political bureau leadership after the assassination of the martyr leader Ismail Haniyeh with such a speed, despite the war against them is a strong message to the Zionist enemy that Hamas remains strong and cohesive, and that the enemy has not affected its structure despite the war of extermination,” the movement said. 

The statement wished Sinwar and Hamas “success in proceeding towards achieving the goals of the Palestinian people in liberation of their land and return of Palestinians to their homeland, and the expulsion of the occupation entity.”

PFLP: Sinwar’s selection response to Zionist barbarism

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hailed Hamas for naming Sinwar as its political leader.

The PFLP affirmed its confidence in Hamas’ ability “to overcome the great ordeal represented by the martyrdom of brother Ismail Haniyeh, and to continue his path and the path of all the martyred leaders.”

It said the election of Sinwar is a message of strength that reflects Hamas’ cohesion, unity of stance, and the resilience of its institutions.

“It is a scorching message to the Zionist enemy, with connotations affirming that the choice of resistance is the most eloquent response to the Zionist enemy's barbarism, Nazism, and genocidal war against our people,” the PFLP said. 

Abortive attempts  

A member of Hamas’ political bureau touched upon the failure of Israel’s assassination campaigns against resistance leaders. 

 “You [Israel] chose to assassinate those who negotiate, and we chose those who can oblige you to sign the agreement,” Basem Naim told CNN late Tuesday in reaction to the selection of Sinwar to replace Haniyeh. 

Israel in hot water
A Palestinian inmate who spent many years in Israeli prisons with Sinwar also told the CNN that his new role spells trouble for the regime.  

“As far as Israel is concerned, this is not good news regarding the deal, because it has considered the military wing and Sinwar to be the hardliners. It’s Sinwar who holds the captives. Now all decisions are within his authority, the military as well as the political decisions, and the decision [whether to hold] negotiations,” Esmat Mansour said. 

Israeli FM's desperation 

Sinwar’s appointment infuriated the Israeli foreign minister. 

Israel Katz said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Sinwar’s appointment gives the regime more reason to assassinate him and continue its annihilation of Hamas.

In another message on X, he said Sinwar’s promotion sends “a clear message to the world that the Palestinian issue is now completely controlled by Iran and Hamas”.
It seems as if Katz is in a state of delusion.  

First of all, Israel’s assassination plots and its Gaza war have failed to help the regime achieve its goals. 

Second, Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections in 2006, securing 76 seats in the 132-member legislature. Fatah, which had held power since the creation of the Palestinian Authority, garnered only 43 seats. The 13 remaining seats went to smaller parties and independents.

Naturally, the resistance group had the right to form a government and run the territory. The Israeli foreign minister’s opposition to Hamas’s ruling of Gaza amounts to rejecting basic principles of democracy. 

His comments against Iran are also aimed at smearing the country. The Islamic Republic has officially announced that it recognizes the Palestinians’ rights to determine their fate and called for ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. 

Iran has time and again reiterated that holding a referendum involving all main inhabitants of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, is the most viable solution to bring an end to the decades-long conflict in Palestine. 

Blinken blames Hamas 

The United States, Israel’s main ally which has thrown its weight behind the regime’s genocidal war on Gaza, tried to distance itself from Israel’s harsh rhetoric. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sinwar “has been and remains the primary decider when it comes to concluding the ceasefire.”

He said Sinwar must “decide whether to move forward with a ceasefire that manifestly will help so many Palestinians in desperate need, women, children, men who are caught in a crossfire … It really is on him.”

Hypocritically, Blinken is throwing the ball in the court of Hamas. 

The administration of President Joe Biden has provided Israel with huge amounts of weapons since the Gaza war erupted. It has also blocked several resolutions at the UN Security Council aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza. But Blinken is blaming Hamas and stops short of criticizing Tel Aviv for its warmongering approach.