Qatari Journalists Celebrate Yahya Sinwar's Appointment As Hamas' New Political Bureau Chairman, Calling Him 'The Hero Of October 7,' 'The Saladin Of Our Century' And 'Israel's Nightmare'

The appointment of Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, as the new chairman of the movement's political bureau was received with joy by journalists in Qatar, who celebrated this decision in on their X accounts and described it a surprising and devastating "blow" to Israel. Congratulating Sinwar on his appointment, they praised Hamas for this "correct" decision and called Sinwar "the hero of October 7," "the Saladin of our century," "a leader in the spirit of the Prophet's companions," and an "honorable model" of leadership that the Islamic nation sorely needs.

Some journalists and Al-Jazeera hosts also mocked Israel, writing that it killed the milder and more accommodating Haniya, and instead got the hardliner Sinwar, who represents the more militant camp in Hamas and is "Israel's worst nightmare."

Cartoon in Qatari daily: "Sinwar will complete the mission" (Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, August 8, 2024)

The following is a sampling of these responses.

Al-Jazeera Host: The Hero Of October 7 has Become The New Leader Of The Palestinian People

In a post on his X account, Jamal Rayyan, a senior host on Qatar's Al-Jazeera network, shared an image of Yahya Sinwar drawing a gun, and wrote: "Hamas has selected the hero of October 7, Yahya Sinwar, as chairman [of its political bureau]. Eliminating Hamas and Sinwar was, and still is, one of [Israel's] the three goals in this war, which Netanyahu has failed to achieve for ten months. Sinwar, who defeated Israel and amazed the world, has become the new leader of the Palestinian people."[1]

Qatari Journalist: Sinwar Is The Saladin Of Our Century, The Honorable Model Of Leadership Our Nation Needs; We Are Proud Of Him

Qatari journalist Jassem Ibrahim Fakhro, a columnist for the daily Al-Sharq who was a candidate in the 2022 parliamentary elections, wrote a post celebrating Sinwar's appointment and wishing him success: "Rejoice! Saladin has returned to us. May Allah protect and exalt him… Oh Allah, give him success and bless everything he does."[2]  

In another post, Fakhro shared excerpts from speeches by Sinwar in which he threatened Israel, and commented: "This is a peerless field commander and a veteran politician, the Saladin of our century: Yahya Sinwar, the new chairman of Hamas' political bureau. He is a singular paragon of faith, strength and courage [who emerged] from the womb of the Palestinian Gaza that is prepared for war. He was raised on jihad, the Quran and faith in Allah and in His promise, and he is a graduate of the school that produces [real] men. He is firm with the enemy and compassionate with the Muslims. His words are like bullets that hit their mark, and the message they convey sparks terror in the heart [of the enemy]… How proud we are of this man, this loyal and courageous leader, and how our nation needed this honorable model [of leadership]… He is a leader in the spirit of the [Prophet's] companions and he shares their determination. May Allah protect him. Allah is the greatest. I can hear the Al-Aqsa Flood gaining strength and roaring louder!"[3]  

In yet another post, Fakhro shared a picture of Sinwar with the text: "Long live Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Israel's nightmare."[4]

Qatari Journalist: Sinwar Is The Right Choice; May He Succeed And Please Allah

Qatari journalist Abdullah Al-Amadi, a columnist for the daily Al-Sharq who was formerly the daily's deputy editor and an advisor to Qatar's education minister, wrote on X: "The unanimous selection of Yahya Sinwar as chairman [of Hamas' political bureau] was blatantly correct, for the current period needs a firm and determined man who can cope with the Zionists' cunning and rashness. May Allah grant him success. May he [follow] the right path and gain the love and the approval of Allah, not of the Americans, the Zionists and their followers."[5]

Editor Of Qatari Daily: Sinwar's Appointment Is A Blow To Israel, Just Like October 7

Al-Sharq editor Jaber Al-Harmi wrote on X: "This is a blow to the Zionist entity that nobody expected. The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the chairman of Hamas' political bureau is no less surprising than the blow of October 7. The Hamas leadership is managing the campaign with great wisdom on all fronts: militarily, politically and in the negotiations.

In another post he wrote: "By appointing Sinwar to replace Isma'il Haniya as the head of its political bureau, Hamas seems to be saying to the Zionist entity: "You eliminated the one who was negotiating [with you], so we appointed someone who will fight [you]."[6]  

Cartoon in Qatari daily: "Now that Haniya has been assassinated, Sinwar has become head of Hamas" (Al-Sharq, Qatar, August 8, 2024)

Palestinian writer and journalist Adham Sharkawi, who writes a column for Qatar's Al-Watan daily, posted a picture of Sinwar drawing a gun and wrote in a similar vein: "You assassinated that smart and calm man [Haniya], so you got this strong and loyal one [Sinwar], who says, 'I don't negotiate. I place my gun on the table and dictate my terms."[7] 

Al-Jazeera Host: This Is Israel's Worst Nightmare

Al-Jazeera host Roula Ibrahim wrote: "Yes, this is your worst nightmare: Abu Ibrahim, Yahya Sinwar, is the head of Hamas' [political bureau]."[8]

Al-Jazeera Host: Netanyahu, Death Has Come To You

Al-Jazeera host Ahmad Mansour wrote on X: "Netanyahu, death has come to you. Sinwar has become the head of Hamas' [political bureau] after Haniya was assassinated."[9]