Opinions differed and varied regarding Hamas’s decision to appoint Yahya Sinwar as head of its political bureau, and newspaper coverage in Israel, America and Europe seemed to either carry an optimistic tone about the chances of progress in the negotiations or adopt pessimistic views regarding the future of the war in Gaza.

Mixed reactions

According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the appointment of Sinwar as Ismail Haniyeh's successor is seen in Israel as an opportunity to advance the deal.

The newspaper quoted the sources as saying that Haniyeh was a stumbling block to the communications, and he was the one who obstructed the ceasefire agreement and the release of the detainees.

In contrast, the British newspaper The Economist considered that Hamas's choice of Sinwar made a ceasefire less likely.

The newspaper also considered that Sinwar's appointment is likely to be temporary until the possible elections are held next year.

It highlighted the possibility that the raging war in Gaza could lead to elections not being held on time, which would increase the chances of Sinwar continuing to head the movement's political bureau without dispute.

Confusion in Israel

The Times of Israel commented on Sinwar's appointment, referring to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz's call for a "swift liquidation" of Sinwar.

Katz wrote on the X platform: “The appointment of Sinwar as head of Hamas, succeeding Haniyeh, is an additional reason to quickly eliminate him and wipe this organization off the map.”

The newspaper referred to statements made by a senior Hamas official to Agence France-Presse that this step contains a strong message to the occupation that Hamas is continuing its path of resistance.

The most prominent character

In a report by the American website Axios, it was highlighted that the selection of Sinwar is a step that works to consolidate his position as the highest and perhaps the only decision-maker in Hamas, whether inside or outside the Palestinian territories.

According to the report, Sinwar is the only senior figure remaining in Hamas after Israel assassinated the movement's top military commander, Mohammed Deif, political leader Haniyeh, and his deputy, Salah al-Arouri.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Sinwar was and still is the one who has the final say, and he must decide on reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken said: "Negotiations for the release of detainees in Gaza have reached the final stage, and the parties must work to complete the agreement as soon as possible."

He added, "The United States informed Iran and Israel that there is a consensus in the Middle East on the need not to escalate, and that no one should escalate the conflict in the Middle East region."

Hamas announced in a statement on Tuesday that it had chosen Sinwar as head of the movement's political bureau, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in an attack in the Iranian capital, Tehran, last week.

The movement said that it had conducted in-depth and extensive consultations and deliberations in the movement's leadership institutions, before choosing Sinwar.

She added in the statement: “While Hamas expresses its confidence in Brother Abu Ibrahim as its leader in a sensitive phase and complex local, regional and international circumstances, it asks God Almighty to grant him success and guide his steps, and to write a clear and decisive victory for our people and our cause.”

Source: Al-Ghad