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Haniyeh’s Foreign Tour Sparks Controversy Over Official Representation

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with members of international media at his office in Gaza City June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with members of international media at his office in Gaza City June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
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Haniyeh’s Foreign Tour Sparks Controversy Over Official Representation

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with members of international media at his office in Gaza City June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh attends a meeting with members of international media at his office in Gaza City June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

A regional tour conducted by the head of Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, renewed disputes over the Palestinian official representation.

Ramallah accused Haniyeh of “striking the unity of the Palestinian representation,” adding that his behavior and stances “do not reflect the Palestinians.”

Fatah movement and other Palestinian factions launched a strong-worded attack against the Hamas official, accusing him of “bowing to others” and “putting the Palestinian decision at stake”.

Fatah Movement Spokesman Hussein Hamayel said that Hamas was “subjecting the Palestinian stance to foreign agendas at the expense of our people’s interests.”

“This behavior is seriously damaging the independence of the Palestinian decision, which has always been based on the foundations of our Palestinian cause, and is costing our people a lot of losses on the regional and global levels,” he added.

Hamayel accused Hamas of interfering in the affairs of other countries, in violation of the official Palestinian position, which is based on neutrality.

The attack on Hamas came a day after a visit by Haniyeh to the Sultanate of Oman to offer condolences for the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed, in parallel with President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to the Sultanate – a move that angered officials in Ramallah.

Haniyeh is currently residing in Qatar, from which he is conducting a regional tour that took him to Egypt and Turkey, before Oman.

Palestinian officials joined the attack on Hamas. Walid Al-Awad, member of the People’s Party political bureau, said: “Hamas’ efforts to open communication channels with Washington reveal the great conspiracy aimed at striking the united Palestinian representation and dispersing the national identity.”

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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Delays in Reaching Sinwar Cost Three Key Negotiation Chances

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (AFP)
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (AFP)
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Delays in Reaching Sinwar Cost Three Key Negotiation Chances

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (AFP)
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (AFP)

Sources within Hamas told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Palestinian group’s political leader, Yahya Sinwar, recently sent a message to mediators through the movement’s leadership.

The message reaffirmed Hamas’ demands, including Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction of the area, lifting the blockade, the return of displaced people without obstacles, and a dignified prisoner exchange deal.

The sources, who requested anonymity, stressed that Sinwar is kept informed about events within and outside Hamas, though there have been some delays in decisions and messages.

However, sources familiar with the negotiations said these delays led to “at least three missed opportunities for a final agreement.”

Since late August, negotiations mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar between Hamas and Israel have largely stalled, with both sides accusing each other of changing the terms of the proposed ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Sinwar’s Communication Style

Hamas insiders clarified that Sinwar’s communication with the group’s leadership was never fully cut off but has been delayed for security reasons. Sinwar follows a specific strategy, deciding when and how to communicate with mediators on his own terms.

Other sources pointed out that difficulties in reaching Sinwar and Hamas' military wing had previously disrupted negotiation efforts.

One such case occurred in December when Israel agreed to most terms of a new proposal. However, delays in Hamas’ response, due to issues in contacting Sinwar and other leaders, resulted in a “missed opportunity.”

These delays frustrated mediators, occasionally leading Israel to backtrack on agreements.

In August, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan admitted there were “some communication difficulties” due to the conflict with Israel but assured that contact remained and that Hamas was managing its affairs effectively.

Hamdan also mentioned that leadership arrangements with Sinwar were progressing, although they might take time due to security concerns.

Sinwar was appointed as Hamas leader on August 6, following the assassination of the former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Recently, Sinwar has remained out of the public eye, with no messages sent on the first anniversary of the October 2023 “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation.

Israeli reports have speculated that Sinwar was killed, citing his lack of communication in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Axios reported that an Israeli official confirmed Sinwar had resumed contact with the Hamas leadership in Qatar, but it’s unclear whether the discussions involve military or truce matters.

Despite a large Israeli operation in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip over the past three months, Sinwar has avoided capture.

Sources have said that only a few people know his whereabouts, and he has been issuing orders during the conflict, sending instructions every few weeks, often via handwritten or typed messages delivered through secure channels.

Hamas sources outside Gaza added that Sinwar had sent written and audio messages to mediators at least twice during critical points in the negotiations.