Hamas Getting Stronger? Sinwar Is New Leader Of Gaza Military Amid Israel-Palestine Conflict

Hamas appointed its prominent military commander Yehiya Sinwar to head its operations at its power base in the Gaza Strip Monday. Sinwar, who has been considered one of Hamas’ most ruthless leaders, has long expressed hardline views such as hoping to see Israel’s destruction and enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic traditionalism.

The appointment of Sinwar, who was incarcerated for 22 years in an Israeli prison over terrorist activities before being released in a 2011 prisoner exchange, underscored the growing influence of the military wing within Hamas, at the expense of its political wing. The military wing, which oversees thousands of militants and the group’s armory of numerous deadly rockets, has been at war with Israel three times since taking power in Gaza in 2007.

The governing body of Hamas was made up of four different constituencies, including activists in Gaza, the West Bank, those living in exile, and those imprisoned by Israel. Each of those four groups was charged with electing local leaders who corroborate with making the group's decisions. Sinwar will be replacing Ismail Haniyeh, who served as the group’s prime minster since the 2007 takeover of Gaza.

Sinwar was sentenced to life in an Israeli prison in 1989 over murdering Palestinian dealmakers who were working with the Israeli government on peacekeeping efforts. He was released early under the terms of a prisoner swap between the two groups sending the Israeli journalist Gilad Shalit back home after having been kidnapped by Hamas.

Sinwar, who founded Hamas’ military wing, has long expressed that he would like to see Israel wiped off the map in the Middle East. He has overseen and directed Hamas’ violent campaign killing thousands of Israeli soldiers in various suicide bombings and shootings.

It has been reported that Sinwar was unwilling to compromise at all regarding the Palestinians establishing their own state in the region.

Kobi Michael, a former head of the Palestinian Desk at Israel's Ministry for Strategic Affairs, told Bloomberg that Sinwar was "one of the most radical and extreme lines of Hamas."

Sinwar was added to the U.S. terrorism blacklist in September 2015 for his commanding role within Hamas’ military wing.

"The idea that he was elected is a very dangerous and concerning indication of the destabilization of the region," said Michael.