From Mohammed Sinwar to Izz al-Din Haddad: Is Hamas's compass changing?

On the day Hamas handed over the American captive, a move that at first appeared to be a small opening in the dead end of the war, the event coincided with Israeli security leaks indicating the death of Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of the movement's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and one of the most prominent figures in its military wing. The movement neither confirmed nor denied the release, opting instead for silence. This silence is hardly innocent in a region accustomed to loud voices and fiery statements. Rather, it may be the prelude to a new phase being drawn up away from the spotlight, at a time when the Gaza Strip is experiencing a near-total collapse on both the humanitarian and political levels.

In this vacuum created by the leaks, the name of Izz al-Din Haddad emerged as one of the most prominent names being considered to lead the next phase within the Qassam Brigades, amid cautious circulation of information without any official announcement. Izz al-Din Haddad, the military commander known only to the public through the margins of intelligence reports and behind closed doors, has for years operated quietly, far from the forefront of political discourse. He is said to be a member of the second generation within the Qassam Brigades, having received his training inside Gaza and slowly and steadily ascending within the movement, particularly in the fields of manufacturing and tunneling. He was close to a small group of organizational minds who viewed patience and steadfastness as tools for survival, rather than loud slogans. What is said about him in private circles is that he is a cautious and calm man, not prone to excessive enthusiasm, and possesses a technical rather than ideological vision, which distinguishes him from many who fought battles from purely ideological perspectives.

But the biggest question floating in the Gazan street today revolves not so much around names as it relates to the path forward. A population exhausted by years of siege and war is not waiting for a new leader as much as it is searching for a way out of the hellish reality—a real possibility of an end to the bombing, the delivery of food, the return of electricity, and a life resembling life. In light of this scenario, expectations of any new leadership seem greater than its actual ability to effect change, as the conflict in Gaza is not being managed solely from within Gaza, but rather from regional and international decision-making centers where calculations and interests are intertwined.

The timing of the discussion about a successor to Sinwar also coincides with mounting pressure on Hamas, both externally and internally, and with the growing calls for a comprehensive review of the movement's trajectory and political behavior. This is particularly true in light of the massive civilian casualties, the deteriorating health and food conditions, and the ongoing migration crisis, which has begun to quietly manifest itself through death boats, asylum applications, or even the silent dreams of escape that haunt the minds of young people. Accordingly, any future leader will face not only military and security challenges, but also an existential responsibility before a people being consumed by fire and who do not have the luxury of waiting.

If Ezzedine Haddad is the one to take the lead, the challenge lies not only in managing the battle, but in emerging from it—not as a defeat, but as a way to save the soul of a city that can no longer bear further destruction. He may be the right man to change the tone, adjust the course, and open a breach toward an agreement that stops the bloodshed—if he has the vision, the courage, and the cover. But Gaza no longer puts its trust in names as much as it longs for concrete actions to pull it back from the abyss.