Media has learned of the appointment of Mohammed Sinwar as the new Hamas leader in Gaza

Mohammed Sinwar has become the new leader of the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on January 13, citing sources.

The new leader previously headed the militant wing of the Palestinian movement - "Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigade". In addition, he is the younger brother of the former head of Hamas Yahya Sinwar, who died in October 2024.

It was reported that after Yahya's death, the Doha-based movement's headquarters decided on a transition to collective leadership. It was not supported by the Gaza warring faction, which has been operating autonomously since then, the newspaper said.

Sinwar Jr. seeks to rebuild the militant wing of the movement, the piece noted.

According to WSJ, Mohammed Sinwar is currently about 50 years old and joined Hamas as a young man. According to the newspaper's sources, he acted "behind the scenes", for which he received the nickname "Shadow".

Crosshairs: preparations for Israel-Hamas deal accelerate for Trump's arrival

Why the Palestinian movement is willing to make concessions

Earlier, on October 17 last year, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He became head of the movement's politburo in early August after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Meanwhile, back in November 2023, it was reported that Sinwar was one of the main organizers of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, when the territory of Israel was subjected to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Israel began retaliatory strikes on the same day.

The Palestinians are trying to ensure that future borders between the two countries follow the lines that existed before the 1967 Six Day War, with possible land swaps. Palestine wants to establish its own state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel refuses to return to the 1967 borders and divide Jerusalem.