Hamas’s leader in the Strip has not only managed to score military and diplomatic victories, but can even claim to have likely brought about the end of Netanyahu’s government
Sinwar led Hamas into a limited campaign against Israel — two days of intense rocket fire at border communities — and has emerged a winner. Hamas is now seen by the Palestinian public, and many Israelis too, as having compelled Israel to hurriedly agree to a ceasefire.
Under Sinwar’s leadership, Hamas used an ongoing campaign of border protests and arson attacks to make history: the Israeli government effectively surrendered, agreeing to facilitate the transfer of millions of dollars in cash (some of which reached Hamas’s military wing) and to increase the supply of diesel fuel to the Strip, all without a Hamas guarantee to end the ongoing demonstrations and border violence.
And then came the cherry on top: With a 48-hour campaign of rocket fire, Hamas managed to bring about the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman — the same Liberman who once infamously vowed to assassinate Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh within 48 hours of taking the job — and likely to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Hamas thus managed a feat that has eluded many of Israel’s top center-left politicians.
On Friday Sinwar celebrated by sending around 8,000 protesters to the border for demonstrations.
Meanwhile under Sinwar Hamas has enjoyed a period of diplomatic success, improving ties with both Egypt and Qatar. The bitter rivalry between Cairo and Doha makes such a trilateral relationship seemingly impossible, but Hamas is doing it. Egypt not only supports the monthly transfers of Qatari cash to pay the salaries of Hamas officials, but has made extraordinary gestures to Sinwar as well as Hamas’s military wing.
On Friday Hamas’s celebratory rally in the Strip was attended by none other than Ahmed Abd al-Halak, the Egyptian intelligence official responsible for Palestinian affairs. Halak was close by as Sinwar waved the Israeli gun around. He even kissed the son of one of the Hamas fighters killed in the Israeli undercover operation.
Halak is well acquainted with the realities of Gaza. He was formerly the representative of Egyptian intelligence there, before the Hamas coup of 2007. He has closely supervised attempts at Palestinian reconciliation and helped negotiate the 2011 Shalit deal.
And though Halak enjoys excellent relations with Israel and has even been spotted at top Tel Aviv restaurants, his attendance at Friday’s rally, however symbolic, crosses a certain line and could be seen as spitting in Israel’s face.
Unlike previous Hamas political leaders, Sinwar is not in competition with the military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. In fact, the Brigades adore him. Sinwar’s brother Muhammad is a senior member of the armed wing, and his childhood friend Muhammad Deif is its head. The gun Sinwar waved during Friday’s rally was gifted to him by the armed wing for his actions as leader.
Deif, Sinwar and Marwan Issa are running the Qassam Brigades, and are responsible for the organization’s recent significant military improvements. Sinwar has appointed his friends from prison to senior positions within Hamas, including in its security apparatus.
All of this has made Sinwar one of the most powerful leaders in Hamas’s history, with few to challenge his strength, including some who formally outrank him such as Hamas deputy political chief Saleh al-Arouri.
The question is whether these successes haven’t, to some extent, gone to Sinwar’s head. For the sake of the people of Gaza, it should be hoped that, Hamas’s claimed “achievements” notwithstanding, Palestinians understand that little has actually changed on the ground. It should also be hoped that Sinwar knows when to stop, and where Israel’s red lines lie.
If he does not, the next round of fighting will be here soon, and be more painful than ever before.
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