Quick Hit

Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, has justified civilian deaths in Gaza as "necessary sacrifices." in communication with Hamas leaders in Qatar. His words reveal his uncompromising stance and his belief that Hamas will outlast Israel in the Gaza conflict.

Key Details

• Direct Communication: Sinwar has been in direct contact with Hamas leadership in Qatar.
• War Strategy: Despite the death of his own family members in an airstrike, Sinwar portrays these losses as fuel for Palestinian resistance and national revival.
• Increased Secrecy: Following the death of another key Hamas figure, Sinwar has heightened security around his communications, employing codes and pseudonyms.

Diving Deeper

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, has been communicating directly with the group's officials in Qatar, using stark terms to describe the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since the escalation of violence on October 7, Sinwar has referred to the substantial civilian casualties as "necessary sacrifices," revealing a grim acceptance of the toll on Gaza's population.

In his communications, which include a letter to Ismail Haniyeh following the death of three of Haniyeh’s sons in an Israeli airstrike, Sinwar asserts that these deaths will "infuse life into the veins of this nation." He expresses a belief that Israel stands to lose more from the conflict than Hamas, suggesting a long-term strategy to leverage the high death toll to increase international scrutiny and pressure on Israel.

The WSJ report also highlights a shift in Sinwar's operational security following the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, another senior Hamas leader, allegedly by an Israeli strike. Sinwar’s subsequent messages have been cautious, circulated through a tight circle using various secretive methods to avoid interception.

Additionally, Sinwar's correspondence shows disapproval of Hamas' political wing in Gaza discussing post-war plans and potential reconciliations with other Palestinian factions without his direct involvement. He vehemently opposes any such talks while the conflict is ongoing, asserting that Hamas has the resources to continue the fight for an extended period. "As long as fighters are still standing, and we have not lost the war, such contacts should be immediately terminated," he said. "We have the capabilities to continue fighting for months."

"Sinwar" by farsnews.ir licensed under CC BY 4.0 DEED.