Eulogizing Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas Says His Death Will Strengthen Group's Resolve, Iran-Backed Groups Say 'Martyred' Leader's 'Legacy' Will Fuel Resistance: 'Sinwar Is Alive In Our Jihadi March Toward Jerusalem'

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. 

Israel's government and IDF confirmed on October 17, 2024, that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had been killed in a firefight during an Israeli operation in Rafah, Gaza. Once Sinwar's death was confirmed in an official Hamas eulogy on October 18, MEMRI JTTM monitored a flurry of statements by Palestinian groups, primarily Hamas and its armed wing 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), as well as Iran-backed Lebanese Hizbullah and various militias in Iraq. In the statements, Palestinian groups declared that the death of Sinwar and the successive assassinations would fuel, rather than extinguish the "flame of the resistance."

Lebanese Hizbullah and the Iran-backed militias in Iraq have expressed condolences on the "martyrdom" of a man whom they consider a great combatant leader, vowing to continue to support the Palestinian people until their liberation. Senior officials from Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement declared that Gaza and the Palestinians would triumph and hoped for the Islamic nation to unite to face the "evils and dangers surrounding it."  

Salafi jihadis have firmly rejected Hamas ideology and its alliance with Shi'ite Iran, which Salafi-jihadis consider religiously unjustified given that Hamas is a Sunni group and Iran has killed Sunnis in Syria as part of its support for the Syrian government and has promoted Shi'ism in the region by empowering its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Islamic State (ISIS) supporters consequently celebrated Sinwar's death, saying he had been serving Iran's interests in the region.[1]

Following are summaries of some of these reactions.

Senior Hamas Leader Khalil Al-Hayya Mourns "Martyred Leader": Sinwar's Death Will Only Serve To Strengthen Hamas

A day later, Doha-based senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya confirmed Yahya Sinwar's death in Gaza earlier in the week. In a video statement shared on Telegram by supporters of the Iran-backed Resistance Axis, Al-Hayya said that Sinwar's death would only serve to strengthen Hamas and vowed that Israel would soon regret killing him. He continued: "Sinwar ascended to heaven advancing, and not retreating, engaging in the frontlines and moving between combat positions," noting that the "martyrdom" of Abu Ibrahim would boost Hamas's resolve to fight Israel until the establishment of the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.[2]

'Izz-Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades: The Enemy Is Delusional If It Thinks That The Assassination Of Leaders Can Extinguish The Flame Of Resistance

Hamas military wing 'Izz-Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades issued a statement mourning Sinwar, saying that when the resistance factions decided to enter this "great and decisive battle in the history of the Palestinian people's struggle," they knew that the price of liberation would be very high: "They were prepared to lead the ranks and sacrifice leaders and soldiers who refused to submit to the enemy or remain silent about its injustice and its plundering of our people's legitimate rights."

The Al-Qassam Brigades vowed that "jihad will not stop until Palestine is liberated, the last Zionist is expelled from it, and all our legitimate rights are restored," noting that the best evidence of the continuing resolve is that people had not broken or surrendered a year into the "Al-Aqsa Flood" battle, despite the enormous price paid and "despite the brutal Zionist crimes of genocide."

It also argued that the enemy is "delusional" if it thinks that the assassination of the great leaders of the resistance such as Yahya Sinwar, Ismael Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, Saleh Al-'Arouri, and others, can extinguish the flame of the resistance or force it to retreat. "Rather, it will continue and escalate until the legitimate goals of our people are achieved," it vowed.[3]

PIJ Leader Ziyad Al-Nakhalah: The Palestinian People And The Resistance Will Remain Faithful To The Line Of Resistance And Loyal To The Spirit Of The Great Leader Yahya Sinwar

PIJ spokesman Muhamamd Al-Haj Musa posted on Telegram a tribute to "martyr" Sinwar written by PIJ leader Ziyad Al-Nakhalah, which read: "Today, we mourn a great and distinguished leader of our Palestinian people, who spent his life advancing the ranks and fighting for the sake of Allah. He never hesitated, weakened, or abandoned his weapon. His martyrdom was a milestone in the history of the Palestinian struggle."

Al-Nakhalah added that the name Yahya Sinwar would forever be associated with "the greatest battle ever fought by the Palestinian people throughout their long history of struggle. The Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood, with all the meanings of heroism, sacrifice, and redemption that it carries."

"Sinwar is alive in our jihadi march toward Jerusalem," he stated, vowing that the banners would continue to fly high and that the Palestinian people and the resistance would remain faithful to the line of resistance and loyal to the spirit of the great leader Yahya Sinwar, the icon of jihad and resistance.[4]

PFLP: Sinwar's Death Will Fuel The Resistance

In a statement released on Telegram, the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) mourned the loss of a "great," "exceptional model" of a fighter and leader, arguing that Sinwar's death will "immortalize" him in the memory of the nation as an "invincible leader."

The statement read in part: "The great martyr was a symbol of steadfastness, resolve, firmness and an iron character that does not know submission or defeat. He played a pioneering role in the development of the resistance, and contributed effectively with a group of fighters from various factions in leading the prisoner movement during his long years of imprisonment, where he fought heroic battles against the prison administration, always emphasizing the unity of the ranks of the resistance in confronting the occupation."

The PFLP declared that the blood of the heroic leaders would not go unavenged, and that Sinwar's death would fuel the resistance and serve as a reminder that the flame of the Palestinian struggle would not be extinguished, nor would the assassination of leaders eliminate the resistance.[5]

Lebanese Hizbullah: Sinwar Faced The U.S. Project And The Zionist Occupation

Lebanese Hizbullah issued a statement mourning leader Yahya Sinwar, who, it said, succeeded martyr leader Ismail Haniyeh, to continue on the path of resistance in the face of the U.S. project and the Zionist occupation. The group extended condolences to Hamas, the Palestinian people, and the whole Muslim nation, and vowed: "We, in the leadership of Hizbullah, who are facing with our resistant and steadfast Lebanese people the repercussions of the criminal Zionist aggression, affirm our standing with the Palestinian people and we have full confidence in the divine promise and victory for His believing servants."[6]

Houthi Supreme Politburo Member: Unity Will Save The Arab And Islamic Nation From The Evils And Dangers Surrounding It

Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, congratulated Sinwar on his "martyrdom" during the Battle of "Al-Aqsa Flood," which he called one of the most honorable battles the Palestinian people ever led, "where Palestinians stood united on the road to Jerusalem, creating a state of steadfastness and strength in confronting the Israeli enemy and defeating the occupation." "We beseech Allah to unite our Arab and Islamic nation on the path of jihad, which will save the nation from the evils and dangers surrounding it," Al-Houthi added.[7]

Houthi Spokesman: We Are Certain That Gaza And The Palestinian Cause Are Destined For Victory No Matter The Sacrifices

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam eulogized ­­­Sinwar in a post on X. Abdusalam stated that the "martyr" Sinwar "recorded heroic epics in the confrontation with the Israeli criminal entity," adding: "We are certain that Gaza and the Palestinian cause are destined for victory no matter the sacrifices."[8]

Iraqi Sarkhat Al-Quds Brigades, Houthi Representation In Baghdad Mourn Fighter On The Frontlines

On its Telegram channel, the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Sarkhat Al-Quds Brigades, formerly Ashab Al-Kahf, released a statement eulogizing Sinwar as a leader who spent his life actively striving to achieve the Palestinians' right "to remove the occupation and end the usurpers' injustice."[9]

The newly opened representation office of Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) in Baghdad also posted on its Telegram channel a eulogy mourning "martyr" Sinwar and celebrating his death as a "hero" fighting on the frontlines and defending Palestine and its sanctities.[10]

Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement Pledged Continuing Support Until Liberation Is Achieved

The Iran-backed Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement released a statement congratulating the "brethren in arms and jihad," on the "martyrdom" of brave jihadi leader Yahya Sinwar on the path of resistance and defiance, which, it argued, "paves the way for liberation from the oppression of the brutal and treacherous occupation that has resorted to treacherous killings, knowing that it has lost the battle on the field and whose weakness and frailty have been revealed to the world."

The statement reiterated remarks by slain Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, saying that Israel is "weaker than a spider's web," and pledged to the brothers in Hamas "continuing support with words and actions, until the liberation of Al-Aqsa from the clutches of the filthy Zionists."[11]

Iraqi Sayyed Al-Shuhada Brigades Leader: Sinwar Left Behind 'A Rich Leadership Legacy That Will Not Allow The Banner To Fall, Nor The Invaders To Enjoy Life Or Existence'

Abu Alaa Al-Wala'i, leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Sayyed Al-Shuhada Brigades, released a eulogy statement saying that leaders like Sinwar who sacrifice their lives for Allah are rewarded with paradise as well as "eternity in this world in the hearts of the free, the honorable, and the truthful." He continued: "The martyred leader Sinwar never cared about the enemy, as a fighter, prisoner, or combatant, until he went to his Lord covered in his blood, leaving behind a rich leadership legacy that will not allow the banner to fall, nor the invaders to enjoy life or existence." Al-Wala'i further condemned the "regimes of disgrace" that are reluctant to defend the Islamic nation's sanctities, claiming that their fate is doomed to the "dark pages of history."[12]