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Hamas Threatens Israel with 'Immediate War' if it Attempted to Assassinate Sinwar

Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaking to the press (File photo: Reuters)
Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaking to the press (File photo: Reuters)
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Hamas Threatens Israel with 'Immediate War' if it Attempted to Assassinate Sinwar

Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaking to the press (File photo: Reuters)
Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar speaking to the press (File photo: Reuters)

Hamas threatened to launch an immediate war if Tel Aviv attempted to assassinate its leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, after several Israeli calls to eliminate him in response to the ongoing Palestinian operations against Israelis.

Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq said the Israeli threats to kill the movement's leader in Gaza "will trigger an immediate war," adding that such attempts "do not frighten us" in the slightest.

Rishq indicated that these threats are a failed attempt to reassure the "terrified settlers," and they only "increase our determination to defend Jerusalem and al-Aqsa until the occupation leaves our land."

Earlier, Israeli officials, Knesset members, former soldiers, and the media called to assassinate Sinwar in response to the operation carried out in Elad near Tel Aviv on Thursday, in which three Israelis were killed with an ax.

The attack took place a few days after Sinwar said in a speech: "Let everyone who has a rifle prepare his rifle. And whoever does not have a gun, let him prepare his machete, ax, or a knife."

Israeli journalists and analysts explained that authorities should take Sinwar's statement more seriously because he works according to a clear ideology.

Channel 12 army correspondent Nir Dvory said that there had been deliberations in Tel Aviv about responding, adding that Israel cannot stand by and do nothing when 19 people are killed within six weeks.

Dvory indicated that after Sinwar's speech, the security establishment relayed messages through Egypt and Qatar that Gaza could be attacked, and Israel's response may see other Palestinian areas, not just the West Bank.

Sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt began intensive calls in Israel and Gaza to contain any possible escalation and spare the region a new war.

The sources said that Egypt warned Israel against responding in Gaza because there was no indication that the territory or "Hamas" was responsible for the operation and asked the movement not to escalate verbally or practically.

Egypt asked Israel to reduce tension in Jerusalem and the West Bank and deter extremists, said the sources, adding that it also requested "Hamas" stops any form of escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told Israel's security service to hit as hard as possible, without political considerations, saying they should do what needs to be done.

It is unclear whether Bennett referred to attacks in the West Bank, Gaza or other places. He previously threatened that he would not be satisfied with striking only the perpetrators of the attacks but also those who incite and send them.

Israeli sources said there is a dispute within the Israeli government about launching a military operation, with Bennett inclined to do so, while Defense Minister Benny Gantz and army leaders oppose him.

According to the Hebrew "Reshet Kan" channel, Israel's political establishment wants to impose sanctions on the Gaza Strip, including banning employees from leaving to work in Israel.

It is a policy that Tel Aviv tested recently after a missile launch from the Strip when it chose an economic response rather than a military one.

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Arab World

Terrorist Attack on Mosque in Syria’s Homs Draws Wide Condemnation

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. (Reuters)
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Terrorist Attack on Mosque in Syria’s Homs Draws Wide Condemnation

A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows an interior of a damaged mosque after several people were killed in an explosion in Homs, Syria December 26, 2025. (Reuters)

Condemnations poured in across the Arab world and international community of the terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in Syria’s Homs city on Friday.

An explosion killed at least eight worshippers with the extremist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna claiming responsibility.

In a statement on Telegram, the group said its fighters “detonated a number of explosive devices” in the Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in the central Syrian city.

Syria's interior ministry said in a statement that “a terrorist explosion” targeted the mosque and that authorities had “begun investigating and collecting evidence to pursue the perpetrators of this criminal act.”

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, stressing the Kingdom’s “categorical rejection of terrorism and extremism in all their forms, including attacks on mosques and places of worship and the targeting of innocent civilians.”

It expressed the Kingdom’s “solidarity with Syria in this tragic incident and its support for the Syrian government’s efforts to uphold security and stability.”

Türkiye slammed the attack, saying it stands by Syria and its efforts to support stability, security and unity “despite all the provocations.”

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the “heinous terrorist attack,” saying Baghdad rejects all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism regardless of their motives.

It slammed the attack against civilians and places of worship, saying they aim to create instability and sow strife in society.

The ministry underlined Iraq’s support for regional and international efforts aimed at eliminating terrorism and drying up its sources of funding.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack, saying it rejects all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to undermine security and stability.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry slammed the attack, voicing its full support to Syria in its reconstruction process “based on principles that ensure its territorial unity, sovereignty, security and stability.”

In Beirut, President Joseph Aoun slammed the Homs attack, saying Lebanon stands by Syria in its war on terrorism. He offered his condolences to the Syrian people.

Qatar slammed the attack, saying it fully stands by the Syrian government and all the measures it takes to preserve security.

France said the blast was an “act of terrorism” designed to destabilize the country, while United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “unacceptable” attack and said the perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Arab World

Iran Wants Iraqi PM Who ‘Takes into Consideration’ Interests of Both Countries

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
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Iran Wants Iraqi PM Who ‘Takes into Consideration’ Interests of Both Countries

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)
Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh. (IRNA)

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh said on Friday that the armed Iraqi factions that proposed limiting the possession of arms to the state have reached a point where they can take decisions by themselves, denying that they are Tehran’s “proxies.”

Speaking to Dijlah television, he added that describing those factions as “proxies” insults them. Moreover, the fact that Iran supported them during the war on ISIS does not mean that they are working on its behalf.

A heated debated is raging in Iraq over the future of the armed forces and their arsenal amid internal and foreign pressure to impose state monopoly over weapons, especially as pro-Iran factions have been gaining influence.

Commenting on the Iraqi parliamentary elections that took place in November, the ambassador said the rise in seats held by the factions is the “choice of the people.”

On who should be appointed prime minister, Al-e Sadegh stressed that the choice to rename Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the post is a “purely” Iraqi decision.

He added, however, that Tehran backs the formation of a government that is based on “partnership, consensus and balance,” hoping that the new PM will “take into consideration” Iraq and Iran’s interests.

Al-e Sadegh slammed the role of the United States in Iraq, saying American jets “are spying on Iran from Iraqi skies.” He also described as “unjustified” Washington’s appointment of a special envoy to Iraq.

The ambassador underscored the strength of relations between Baghdad and Tehran, saying he can never imagine that they could be severed.

Some 35 percent of Iraqis live in areas bordering Iran, so people from both countries enjoy deep social and tribal ties, he explained.

Arab World

Egypt Warns of Moves to Derail Gaza Deal, Fragment Reconstruction

Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
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Egypt Warns of Moves to Derail Gaza Deal, Fragment Reconstruction

Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)
Palestinians walk past makeshift shelters at the Nuseirat camp for displaced people in Gaza (AFP)

Efforts by mediators to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement are intensifying, as Egypt issues fresh warnings that the process could be obstructed just days before it is due to take effect in January.

Egypt’s position, which rejects fragmenting reconstruction, dividing the Gaza Strip, or accepting Israeli conditions regarding stability forces in the enclave, carries important messages aimed at pressuring Israel ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 29, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat.

They expect Washington to press for the launch of the second phase in light of those Egyptian messages.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday that Germany would not take part, for the foreseeable future, in an international force for stability in Gaza under the enclave’s peace plan, which is expected to be deployed next month.

The move has reinforced Egyptian concerns voiced by Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, who accused Netanyahu of trying to reframe the second phase and confine it to a demand to disarm the resistance, something not stipulated in the agreement and well understood by the United States.

He pointed to Israeli efforts to involve a stability force in roles beyond its mandate, such as disarmament, which participating countries would not accept.

Rashwan said on Thursday, according to state-owned Al Qahera News television, that Netanyahu’s attempts could delay or slow implementation but would not succeed in stopping the second phase.

He added that Netanyahu was seeking by all means to avoid moving to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and to push Washington into a confrontation with Tehran, which could reignite Gaza and derail the second phase.

On Thursday, Israel’s Ynet news site quoted a military source as saying Netanyahu would brief Trump on intelligence about the threat posed by Iranian ballistic missiles during their expected meeting before the end of the year.

The source said Israel might be forced to confront Iran if the United States fails to reach an agreement to curb Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Mokhtar Ghobashy, Secretary-General of the Al-Farabi Center for Political Studies, stated that the Egyptian statements were clear and explicit, conveying messages to Israel and Washington ahead of the anticipated visit.

He said that when Egyptian anger reaches the level of direct messaging, Washington considers the need to reach a point of convergence between Cairo and Tel Aviv.

Palestinian political analyst Nizar Nazzal said the Egyptian statements carry genuine messages and concerns about Israel entrenching the status quo from a security rather than a political perspective, in the hope that Washington would move seriously to put an end to it.

Egypt’s position extends beyond expressing concern to include explicit warnings. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Thursday in an interview with Egyptian television that there were two red lines in Gaza.

The first is rejecting any separation between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which he said was impossible as both constitute an indivisible unit of the future Palestinian state. The second red line is rejecting any division of the Gaza Strip.

He added that talk about dividing Gaza into red and green zones, or about areas under direct Israeli control receiving food, water and reconstruction while 90 percent of Palestinians elsewhere are denied basic needs under the pretext of Hamas’ presence, is absurd, will not happen and will not be agreed to.

Ghobashy stressed that when Egypt declares red lines, it marks a firm boundary, noting that there are unacceptable violations on the ground from Cairo’s perspective.

He said Cairo was deliberately sending these messages at this time in the hope of strengthening the mediators’ path toward launching the second phase soon, especially since Washington can impose its will if it chooses, particularly when it comes to pressuring Israel to halt actions obstructing the agreement.

Israel Hayom newspaper reported on Thursday that the anticipated meeting between Netanyahu and Trump would conclude with a statement on progress toward the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Rashwan said that all indicators show the US administration has settled on starting the second phase in early January. He added that Trump’s reception of the Israeli prime minister on Dec. 29 likely signals the actual launch of the second phase without ambiguity.

Nazzal expects Netanyahu, in his meeting with Trump, to try to push a narrative of maintaining Israel’s presence along the yellow line, dividing Gaza and starting reconstruction in the part under Israeli control.

But he said Egypt’s warning messages are a preemptive step to avert any new obstacles or US-Israeli alignment that could disrupt the agreement’s course.