Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah organization congratulated Yehya al-Sinwar on Wednesday on his election as leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Al-Sinwar’s appointment as head of the organization’s political bureau was proof of Israel’s failure, Hezbollah said in a statement.
Israel had not been able to achieve its goal – the killing of Hamas leaders and functionaries – it added.
With al-Sinwar’s appointment, Hamas was also sending a “strong message” to Israel and its allies, since Hamas was united in its decisions and remained steadfast. It was “continuing on the path of resistance and struggle,” Hezbollah said.
Following the killing of Hamas foreign chief Ismail Haniyeh, the Islamist terror group appointed al-Sinwar as the organization’s new leader on Tuesday evening.
He lives in an unknown location in the Gaza Strip – it is suspected that he is hiding in the organization’s tunnels under the coastal area. His predecessor Haniyeh was based in the Qatari capital Doha and was considered Hamas’ chief diplomat.
Hezbollah is allied with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, both of which are allies of Iran.
