Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.

Sinwar's election as political leader strengthens Hamas-Iran ties: WSJ

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen + Israeli media
  • 8 Aug 2024 14:12
3 Min Read

The WSJ notes that Yahya Sinwar was one of the strongest advocates for repairing Hamas’ ties with Iran after the strains of the so-called "Arab Spring".

Listen
  • x
  • Source
    Yahya Sinwar chairs a meeting with leaders of Palestinian factions at his office in Gaza City, on April 13, 2022. (AP)

Hamas’ election of Yahya Sinwar as its leader strengthens the strategic ties between the movement and Iran and indicates a unified front between Tehran and its allies in the Axis of Resistance in the struggle against "Israel" and the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

When members of the Palestinian group gathered to select a replacement for martyr Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated by "Israel" while in Tehran, Sinwar interrupted the discussions with a letter: the new leader must be someone close to Iran, according to informed Arab and Hamas officials.

"It clearly puts at the top of the group someone who is seen to be much closer to Iran," pointed out Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

The WSJ considered that Sinwar's promotion by senior Hamas members signifies that the Palestinian movement supports his strategy of waging war against "Israel" alongside Iran’s allies.

The report noted that Hamas' news political leader Sinwar seeks to achieve a Palestinian state and "shares Iran’s goal of destroying the state of Israel to achieve it."

Meanwhile, Israeli officials see the move as a significant shift in the relationship between Hamas and Iran.

"The election of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas must send a clear message to the world that the Palestinian issue is now completely controlled by Iran and Hamas," Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Israel Katz claimed on Wednesday. 

Related News

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

WHO warns of deepening Gaza health crisis, urges opening all crossings

According to the newspaper, Sinwar was one of the strongest advocates for repairing Hamas’ ties with Iran after the strains of the so-called "Arab Spring".

It mentioned that he first reached out to Iran while serving multiple life sentences in Israeli occupation prisons.

In 2021, after a ceasefire was reached to end the 11-day Operation Seif Al-Quds and confrontations with the Israeli occupation military, Sinwar said Hamas was thankful to the Iranians for providing money, weapons, and expertise.

"They [Iran] weren’t with us on the ground. But they were with us," he indicated. 

In a related context, Jackie Khoury, an Arab affairs analyst at the Israeli Army Radio, suggested that Hamas leadership is aware that "Israel" and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are not inclined toward a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal, adding that with Sinwar's election, the Palestinian movement has officially shifted the situation on the ground to the field level, going from diplomacy to the battlefield.

In light of his election as the head of Hamas' political bureau, this is what #YahyaSinwar told #AlMayadeen in a 2018 interview.

Sinwar highlighted the revolutionary sentiment that #Palestinians in Gaza have, emphasizing how no one can pressure them into anything, as they are… pic.twitter.com/HREgXJjsAi

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 7, 2024

Aside from public relations, Khoury argues, Sinwar has not received an upgrade in his status, adding that in practice, however, he remains the most powerful figure in Hamas.

Read more: Who is Yahya al-Sinwar, the artist behind Operation Al-Aqsa Flood?

  • Gaza Strip
  • Yahya Sinwar
  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Hamas
  • Ismail Haniyeh
  • Gaza
  • Iran

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS