What's happened
Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new political chief following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Hamas blames on Israel. This leadership change occurs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Iran vowing revenge for Haniyeh's death.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Yahya Sinwar's appointment as Hamas's political chief is a direct response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, which Hamas attributes to Israel. This leadership change comes at a time of heightened tensions, with Iran promising retaliation. The New York Times highlights the global protests following Haniyeh's assassination, indicating widespread support for Hamas among certain populations, while also noting the mixed reactions within Gaza itself. The situation remains fluid, with analysts concerned about the potential for further violence as Sinwar takes the helm amidst these escalating conflicts.
How we got here
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, 2024, in Tehran marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Haniyeh's death has intensified regional tensions, prompting Iran to threaten retaliation against Israel.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh is a senior political leader of Hamas and formerly one of two disputed Prime Ministers of the Palestinian National Authority. Haniyeh became prime minister after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Yahya Sinwar is the current Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017. He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas. He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.