Middle East: Closer to ignition – The significance of Sinwar’s election as Hamas’ new political leader

While Hamas and Hezbollah regroup and issue threats of a sweeping counterattack, Israel continues to strike military targets in Lebanon. Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh by the Israelis last week, tensions in the Middle East are escalating beyond control, despite U.S. appeals to both sides to avoid a widespread, deadly conflict in the region. This situation is especially precarious given that Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, appears ready to intervene directly in the conflict with unprecedented attacks on Israel.

Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinian militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah show any signs of willingness to negotiate. On the contrary, the election of Yahya Sinwar as Ismail Haniyeh’s successor in Hamas leadership signals the start of a new cycle of bloodshed. Sinwar represents the most hardline and uncompromising faction within Hamas. His unanimous election by the organization’s leaders underscores his role as their warlord and the mastermind behind the attacks on October 7, 2023, making him the most determined to wage battle against Israel by any means necessary.

Currently, the initiative lies with the Israelis, who on Tuesday, August 6, conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah military installations in Lebanon, specifically in the villages of Yaroun and Kfar Kila, located in the southern part of the country, approximately 125 km from the capital, Beirut.

IDF: Earlier today (Tuesday), the IDF identified a terrorist cell entering a Hezbollah weapons storage facility and military structure in the area of Kfarkela. The IAF swiftly struck the military structure and weapons storage facility from which the terrorists were operating.… pic.twitter.com/lDPMHXeK6T

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) August 6, 2024

The Israeli air force bombings in Lebanon were in response to a previous drone attack by Hezbollah earlier on Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of 19 Israelis, according to Israeli media reports citing the Galilee hospital where the victims were taken.

HEZBOLLAH DRONES FLY OVER ISRAEL

They’ve been filmed flying unimpeded over Israel as sirens have been sounding in northwestern regions of the country.

Source: @sentdefender pic.twitter.com/Ng2PNBl4DB

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 6, 2024

Additionally, Hezbollah carried out another attack, launching a barrage of approximately 30 rockets towards northern Israel. In response, Israel not only targeted military infrastructure but also demonstrated its power with supersonic flights of fighter jets, even over the memorial service for a deceased high-ranking Hezbollah officer in Beirut. During this event, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered a 90-minute speech to the gathered crowd, reiterating that “our counterattack on Israel will be powerful and effective.”

In a televised speech, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah promised a 'strong and effective' response to the assassination of its military commander by an Israeli strike https://t.co/74LbsJ95bE pic.twitter.com/zpLONT3PLU

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 7, 2024

Nasrallah described the Israeli tactic of constantly harassing their opponents with provocations, such as the recent supersonic overflights by fighter jets, as “childish.” Meanwhile, Hamas’s health service announced that, from the hostilities starting October 7, 2023, until today, 39,653 Palestinians have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli fire.

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