Hamas Has Another Sinwar. And He’s Rebuilding the Group’s Terror Infrastructure.
Since the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas was ousted from the Gaza Strip in 2007, it has been unable to launch major military operations against Israel. But under the leadership of Yahya Sinwar, a former inmate and key player in the group’s military wing, Hamas is now rebuilding its terror infrastructure and capabilities.
Sinwar, who took over as the group’s top leader in Gaza in 2017, has been instrumental in reorganizing and strengthening Hamas’s military and security apparatus. He has brought in new talent and has given more autonomy to local commanders, allowing them to make decisions on the ground without needing to get approval from headquarters.
As a result, Hamas has been able to carry out more frequent and sophisticated attacks against Israel. The group has launched rockets into Israeli cities, attacked Israeli soldiers along the border, and even launched a naval operation against Israeli boats.
But Sinwar’s rebuilding efforts go beyond just military capabilities. He has also been working to revamp Hamas’s economic and social services, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. The group has invested heavily in construction projects, including housing, roads, and water treatment plants.
The goal, Sinwar has said, is to create a self-sufficient Gaza Strip that can withstand any future Israeli attacks and sanctions. The plan is to make Gaza more attractive to its residents, both financially and ideologically, in order to bolster support for Hamas and reduce dissent.
It is unclear whether Sinwar’s plans will be successful. The international community has long imposed economic sanctions on Hamas, and the group’s reliance on foreign aid and smuggling networks is likely to remain a challenge.
But one thing is clear: under Sinwar’s leadership, Hamas is rebuilding its capabilities and posing a more significant threat to Israel.
