Hamas chooses Oct. 7 mastermind as new leader

The secretive hardliner has close ties to Iran

Published: August 6, 2024 2:52pm

The Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas on Tuesday announced the selection of its new leader, Yahya Sinwar. Hamas's new leader masterminded the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed. 

Sinwar replaces Ismail Haniyeh, who died last week in Iran in an alleged Israeli strike, according to the Associated Press. reported.

Hamas, which has led Palestinians in Gaza, also took 250 hostages in the attack, which sparked the group's war with Israel. 

Sinwar lives in Gaza, unlike Haniyeh, who lived in exile in Qatar. Sinwar has remained in hiding since the October 7 attacks.

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