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On August 6, 2024, Hamas named Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the group’s forces in the Gaza Strip, asthe group's new political chief, following the death of Ismail Haniyeh in a bombing in Tehran on July 31, in an operation attributed to Israel.[1] Following the announcement, various organizations, along with jihadi ideologues and supporters, responded to Sinwar's appointment.
Telegram Channels Affiliated with Iran-backed Militias Celebrate Sinwar As “Hunter Of Spies,” “Prison Guard” Of Israel
Several Iran-backed militias and Telegram channels affiliated with them responded to Hamas's announcement with celebratory posts.
"Sabereen News," a Telegram channel that supports Iran-backed militias in Iraq, posted an image of Sinwar captioned: "Hunter of Spies."[2]
"Unit 10000," another Telegram channel linked to Iraqi Iran-backed militias, posted a short video showing Haniyeh presenting Sinwar to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after his release from Israeli prison. The video is captioned: "The prisoner that freed October 7 with the Al-Aqsa Flood… has become the prison guard of the Zionist entity."[3]
The Telegram channel "Sonia," also associated with Iraqi militias, celebrated the news and shared a photo of Haniyeh with Sinwar, commenting: "If a master falls, a master arises."[4]
Houthis Congratulate Hamas And Palestinians On Sinwar’s Appointment, Wish Him Success
On August 6, Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, congratulated Hamas on choosing Sinwar, noting that "it is known that he is a strong leader."[5]
Muhammad Abdulsalam, the movement's spokesperson, congratulated Hamas and the Palestinian people on selecting Sinwar to lead the movement. Abdulsalam asked Allah to "help and Guide commander Sinwar in fulfilling this responsibility at this historic stage."[6]
Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram Channels Attack Sinwar And Hamas For Praising Assad And Hizbullah, Unleashing Destruction On Gazans
Responding to Hamas's announcement, the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Bariqa News Agency published a short video of Sinwar praising the Assad regime's army and Lebanese Hizbullah as core elements in the "army of Al-Sham [Greater Syria]." Bariqa attacked "the latest commander… of Rafidite [a pejorative term for Shi’ite] Hamas, the apostate Yahya Sinwar," for claiming that "Bashar Al-Assad's Nusayri [a pejorative term for Alawites] army is one of the pillars of the army of Al-Sham, and Hizbullah is its most important element…"[7]
"Ladhi'," another pro-ISIS Telegram channel, responded to the news by stating that "Sinwar may be the first leader in history to choose to go to war and expose his people to annihilation, without saying a word to let them know of this major event..." The channel contrasted Sinwar with slain ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, who "would step out and talk to the people" despite being "pursued by the intelligence services of the entire world."[8]
Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric: Iran's Selection Of Sinwar Closes Path To Gaza Ceasefire
Tariq Abdelhaleem, an Egyptian-born Canada-based pro-Al-Qaeda cleric, responded to the news on August 7, saying that "following Iran's decision to appoint Sinwar as head of the movement, there is no hope for a decision to end the war!"[9]
Abdelhaleem has been an outspoken critic of Hamas since the beginning of the Gaza war.[10]
Haniyeh's killing drew varied responses from jihadis and Iran-backed militias. Hamas, Hizbullah and the Houthis described it as a serious escalation and vowed retaliation.[11] Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) eulogized Haniyeh and called for attacks on Israel and the U.S.[12] The pro-ISIS Bariqa News Agency, in turn, attacked Hamas for supporting Iran and Iran-backed Shi'ite militias in the region.[13]
[1] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[2] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[3] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[4] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[5] X, August 6, 2024.
[6] X, August 7, 2024.
[7] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[8] Telegram, August 6, 2024.
[9] Telegram, August 7, 2024.
[10] See JTTM Reports: Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric: Hamas' Claims Of Victory Are Absurd, Its Only Accomplishment Is Increasing The Suffering Of Palestinians, February 27, 2024; Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric Lashes Out At Hamas And Hizbullah: Hamas Leaders Should Be Executed, Hamas Will Be ‘Worst Dictatorship In Middle East’ If It Remains In Power, Hizbullah Fights Israel To Advance Iran’s Interests, July 10, 2024.
[11] See JTTM Report: Hamas, Hizbullah, Houthi Ansar Allah Movement: Assassination Of Haniyeh In Tehran Is Serious Escalation With Weighty Implications For Entire Region; 'The Zionist-American Enemy' Will Suffer The Consequences, July 31, 2024.
[12] See JTTM Report: Al-Qaeda In The Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Eulogizes Hamas Political Leader Haniyeh, Calls For Global Attacks On Israel, U.S., August 1, 2024.
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