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Hamas Faces Leadership Void amid Complex Challenges

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during the 31st anniversary celebrations of his movement in 2018 (EPA)
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during the 31st anniversary celebrations of his movement in 2018 (EPA)
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Hamas Faces Leadership Void amid Complex Challenges

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during the 31st anniversary celebrations of his movement in 2018 (EPA)
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during the 31st anniversary celebrations of his movement in 2018 (EPA)

Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is the “biggest blow” to the group since it was founded, even more significant than the deaths of its other leaders.
They said his killing leaves “a difficult gap to fill” and is likely to impact the situation in Gaza, the future of Hamas, and possibly the wider conflict between Iran and Israel.
Sinwar wasn’t just another Hamas leader. After launching the “Al-Aqsa Flood” on Oct. 7 last year, he became the group’s most iconic figure.
He was the “mastermind” behind the operation that exposed one of Israel’s greatest intelligence failures. Sinwar had unmatched control over Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, which is still battling in a devastated Gaza, where over 40,000 people have died.
He also strengthened Hamas’ ties with Iran, securing financial, military, and technical support from Tehran.
Under Sinwar, Hamas saw something new: both political and military decisions were controlled by one man, with strong public support in Gaza. Sinwar was seen by Hamas members as a charismatic leader, untouched by internal power struggles.
His assassination is a major win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had promised to go after everyone involved in the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.
This adds to Netanyahu’s list of high-profile assassinations, which includes Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The killing also shows that the issue of hostages held by Hamas is no longer a major factor in Israel’s decision-making.
Key points from sources:
Hamas has a leadership structure to handle the loss of its leaders, but no one with Sinwar’s unique skills is left, especially after the deaths of key figures behind the Al-Aqsa Flood.
Unlike Hezbollah, Hamas is trapped in a besieged area, making it harder to receive help. Hezbollah, in contrast, can easily get support from Iran, including leadership aid.
Sinwar’s death won’t end Hamas, but it will weaken the group.
Decision-making will likely slow down, especially in balancing the political and military wings.
Sinwar’s assassination raises questions about the ongoing fighting in Gaza and the fate of hostages. His death could spark a wave of suicide attacks.
Without Sinwar, it will be hard for any new Hamas leader to accept a ceasefire, especially after the heavy Israeli strikes and the loss of key leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran.
The killing comes at a tense time, with Israel preparing for a possible strike on Iran, increasing the risk of a wider regional conflict.
It’s unclear how Sinwar’s death will impact Israel’s approach, or if it will bring the hostages back into focus, as some Israeli leaders suggest a ceasefire may now be possible.

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UN Says Israeli Settlers Cut Down Olive Trees in ‘War-Like’ West Bank Campaign

An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
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UN Says Israeli Settlers Cut Down Olive Trees in ‘War-Like’ West Bank Campaign

An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
An aerial view of a yard where cars were torched overnight, in the Palestinian town of Huwara near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)

The United Nations humanitarian office accused Israel on Friday of using "war-like" tactics against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, citing killings by soldiers and attacks on Palestinian olive groves by Israeli settlers.

This month so far, OCHA said it had received reports that settlers have carried out 32 attacks against Palestinians and their property, including on farmers. It added there were initial reports Israeli forces killed a woman who was harvesting olives near the West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday.

"It is, frankly, very concerning that it's not only attacks on people, but it's attacks on their olive groves as well," OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said at a Geneva press briefing. "The olive harvest is an economic lifeline for tens of thousands of Palestinian families in the West Bank."

Israel's military said it had launched an investigation into the reported attack in Jenin and the commanding officer there at the time has been suspended pending the checks.

It said, as with every year, it was working to secure the area to let people get on with the harvest. "The harvest season was planned and coordinated with all relevant parties, and IDF forces are providing security in the designated areas," it added.

Violence has surged across the West Bank since the start of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians - including armed fighters, stone-throwing youths and civilian bystanders - have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces.

Dozens of Israelis have been killed in Palestinian street attacks over the past year.

The OCHA report said around 600 mainly olive trees have been burnt, vandalized or stolen by settlers since the start of the harvest. It included a picture of a Palestinian man standing next to an olive tree stump with its branches sawn off.

"Israeli forces have been using lethal, war-like tactics in the West Bank, raising serious concerns over excessive use of force and deepening people's humanitarian needs," Laerke said.

Earlier this month, the UN World Food Program said that violence and the spillover effect of the Gaza war had nearly doubled the number of people facing food insecurity in the West Bank to 600,000 people since early 2023.

A group of Western states including France, Britain and Germany issued a joint statement on Oct. 14 saying olive-picking had become "dangerous" due to settler violence and calling on Israel to allow Palestinians to join the harvest.

Settler violence is a source of growing concern among Israel's Western allies. A number of countries, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on violent settlers and urged Israel to do more to stop the violence.