Yahya Sinwar, Mastermind Of October 7 Attack In Israel, Is New Hamas Chief, Say Reports

New Delhi: Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has said that it has chosen Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza who masterminded October 7 attacks, as its new leer, AP reported on Tuesday.

Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday it named Sinwar as new he of its political bureau to replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran last week in a presumed Israeli strike.

Sinwar has not me any public appearances since Hamas-led October 7 attack on sourn Israel in which militants killed 1,200 people and took about 250 as hostages, triggering Israel's now 10-month-old campaign in Gaza.

Why Hamas chose Yahya Sinwar as next chief?

choice of Sinwar, a secretive figure who les Hamas' hardliners and is close to Iran, was a defiant step. Sinwar is at top of Israel's kill list as it seeks to destroy Hamas and its leership after October 7 attack in which militants killed 1,200 people in sourn Israel and took about 250 as hostages.

Hamas said in a statement it named Sinwar as new he of its political bureau to replace Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran last week in a presumed Israeli strike. Also last week, Israel said it h confirmed death of he of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, in a July airstrike in Gaza. Hamas has not confirmed his death.

Unlike Haniyeh, who h lived in exile in Qatar for years, Sinwar has remained in Gaza. As Hamas' leer in territory since 2017, he rarely appeared in public but kept an iron grip on Hamas' rule. Close to Deif and armed wing, known as Qassam Briges, he worked to build up group's military capabilities.

Sinwar has been in deep hiding since October 7 attacks, while Israel unleashed its campaign in Gaza and death toll among Palestinians, now near 40,000, rose.

With inputs from agencies