US Secretary of State: Ceasefire now depends on Hamas leader Sinwar
Jihia al-Sinwar is the new political leader of Hamas, making him Israel's Public Enemy Number One. However, it's up to him whether there will be a ceasefire and a prisoner swap deal, according to the U.S. Secretary of State.
A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip remains in the hands of the new political leader of the Islamic Hamas, Jihia al-Sinwar, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Maryland. Sinwar, who was previously the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, was the key decision-maker on this issue even before his appointment as the successor to the late Hamas chief of staff, Ismail Haniyah, Blinken said. "This underscores the fact that it's really up to him to decide whether to push for a ceasefire."
Sinwar is at the top of Israel's most wanted list. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz tweeted that the appointment of the "arch-terrorist" as the new political leader of Hamas is "another compelling reason to eliminate him quickly and wipe this despicable organization off the face of the earth."
"Crucial Moment" for Negotiations
Blinken noted that indirect negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages have reached a "crucial moment." "We are firmly convinced that they should be concluded very, very soon," he said. Sinwar, as before, has the power to decide whether Hamas agrees.
With Sinwar's election as the new Hamas leader, who is considered Israel's Public Enemy Number One, efforts to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons may become even more difficult. There are no direct negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are mediating between the two parties.
It is suspected that Sinwar is hiding in one of Hamas' tunnels under the sealed-off Gaza Strip. His predecessor Haniyah, who was killed in a bombing in the Iranian capital Tehran nearly a week ago, resided in Qatar and was considered the chief diplomat of Hamas. Iran and Hamas blame Israel for the attack on Haniyah and threaten harsh retaliation.
Antony Blinken emphasized that the success of the ceasefire negotiations hinges on Jihia al-Sinwar's decision, given his position as Hamas' new political leader. In response to Sinwar's appointment, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz urged for his swift elimination, citing him as a major threat to Israel.
