Sinwar’s death came just two months later assassination of former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
A senior Hamas official described Sinwar as the architect of the October 7 attacks, stressing that his appointment was intended to send a bold message of defiance to Israel.
Ceasefire talks have been deadlocked since July, and many believe Sinwar’s leadership has been a significant obstacle to any ceasefire deal.
Despite Sinwar’s killing, a senior Hamas official reiterated to the BBC that the movement’s terms for accepting a truce and releasing Israeli hostages had not changed.
Hamas continues to demand Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, an end to hostilities, the transfer of humanitarian aid and the restoration of the war-torn territory – terms that Israel has flatly rejected, insisting that Hamas must surrender.
When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appeal to Hamas to give up its weapons and surrender, representatives of the movement answered: “It is impossible for us to surrender.
“We are fighting for the freedom of our people, and we will not accept surrender. We will fight to the last cartridge and to the last soldier, as Sinwar did.’
Sinwar’s assassination was one of the most significant losses for the organization in decades. However, despite the difficulties of replacing him, Hamas has suffered leadership losses since the 1990s.
While Israel succeeded in eliminating most of the leaders and founders of Hamas, the movement proved resilient in its ability to find new ones.
Amid this crisis, questions remain about the fate of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza and who will be responsible for their safety and protection. A Hamas official told the BBC on Monday that the group may still be holding hostages.
In this context, Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya Sinwar’s brother, became a central figure. He is believed to control the remaining armed groups of Hamas and could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the movement in Gaza.
