Sinwar’s 'dangerous and extreme' brother Mohammed could now take over Hamas

Hamas' blood-thirsty leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in a battle with Israeli forces in Gaza, but as the West now hopes for peace, a Middle East expert says his brother could take over - and be "worse"

Israeli troops killed Hamas’ leader in a Gaza battle but his brother could take over and be “worse”, said a Middle East expert.

There is hope in the West that the death of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack on Israel, could be a moment for change and peace.

US President Joe Biden said it was “a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world” while Keir Starmer called on the international community to “make the most of this moment” to end the Middle East conflict.

But amidst this optimism are fears that Yahya Sinwar’s brother Mohammed could be more dangerous and he may now replace him. Mohammed Sinwar, 49, is one of the most senior commanders of Hamas’ military branch and has also been one of Israel’s main targets, like his brother, but he prefers to stay out of the limelight and makes few public appearances.

He has already survived many assassination attempts and although he lacks charisma, he is believed to have the respect of Hamas fighters. And if Hamas now look to avenge the death of Sinwar, then with his brother as leader it could be even more bloodthirsty.

Former senior Israeli official Grisha Yakubovich, who is an expert on Palestine, told The Sun: “Mohammed Sinwar is just as radical, if not more, than Yahya Sinwar. If he takes over the leadership of Hamas, the situation could become significantly worse.”

He added: “He’s in the top of the military wing. He’s one of the strongest players. If Yahya is killed, Mohammed could rise quickly.” Mr Yakubovich is worried that far from the death of the Hamas leader resulting in a road towards peace, the rise of Mohammed Sinwar could lead to an escalation.

“If Mohammed Sinwar comes to power, I believe it will be very problematic. He is much more extreme, even within the ranks of Hamas,” he reportedly said. “He is a dangerous person who could worsen the situation, especially because of his radical views.”

Meanwhile, for Israel the death of Sinwar is a major achievement and analysts have also said that this now gives the country an exit strategy from Gaza. "This would really be the cherry on the icing of the cake for Israel," said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, an associate fellow of the International Security Program at the Chatham House think tank in London. "It should be easier to reach a deal."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could now tell Israelis that one of the war's aims has been reached, it is claimed. Politically, that might allow him to be more flexible on a ceasefire deal that ends the war in exchange for hostages - a condition he has so far refused to accept, at least in part, critics say, because it could threaten his rule.

Analysts said the achievement was such a gamechanger that it was an opportunity for Israel to signal that it is ready to end the fighting in the region, including in Lebanon where Israel is battling Hezbollah.

"The opportunity to end the war entirely, as well as in Lebanon, ... it is entirely in our hands," Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel's National Security Council, told Israeli Channel 12 News, saying Israel must use Sinwar's death to present its conditions for ending the wars on both fronts.

The families of hostages in Gaza had a similar message for Netanyahu. A group representing the families welcomed Sinwar's killing and called on Israel to reconcentrate its efforts toward negotiating a deal. "Netanyahu, don't bury the hostages. Go now to the negotiators and the Israeli public and present a new Israeli initiative," Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held in Gaza, said in a post on social media.

Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute think tank, cautioned that Netanyahu has shown few indications that he is looking for an end to the conflict, with the army intensifying its operations in the north of Gaza in recent weeks. "The war ... is not over yet," Netanyahu said in a video statement after the killing. Mr Elgindy also called Sinwar's killing a "major blow" to Hamas. But, he added, it was "not fatal since everyone is replaceable."