Hamas’ Sinwar has grown stronger, not weaker, ex-Mossad official says

Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted the former head of the Captives and Missing Persons Division in Mossad, Rami Igra, as saying that the head of the political bureau of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, has not been weakened but rather grown stronger, contrary to all estimations.

Last week  Hamas chose Sinwar, its top official in Gaza, as the new leader of the movement’s political bureau following Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in the Iranian capital Tehran on 31 July. Both Hamas and Iran blame Israel for the strike that killed Haniyeh. Tel Aviv has not claimed responsibility.

Sinwar spent 22 years in Israeli prisons. He was released in a prisoner exchange deal through which more than 1,000 Palestinian detainees were set free in 2011 in order to secure the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

According to Igra, 61-year-old Sinwar has become “stronger and was appointed as all-powerful in Hamas.”

“The things he wanted to happen are happening,” Igra told Israeli Radio 103FM yesterday.

“As long as Israel does not provide a real governing alternative to Hamas in Gaza, then Hamas is in control, and Sinwar proved this by the very fact that he was appointed head of the political bureau,” he added.

Read: 3 messages portrayed to the world by choosing Sinwar to succeed Haniyeh