Lebanon is undoubtedly the country most affected by the war in Gaza, especially since Hezbollah opened the Lebanese-Israeli front in support of Hamas the day after the attacks of October 7, 2023. This support cost Hezbollah the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and in Lebanon a war which has already left more than 2,300 dead, nearly 11,000 injured and enormous destruction in dozens of towns and villages. What were the reactions in Lebanon to the announcement of Yahya Sinwar’s death?
3 mins
With our correspondent in Beirut, Paul Khalifeh
Those mainly concerned by the death of Yahya Sinwar, such as Hezbollah or Jamaa Islamiya, the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, allies of Hamas, have not yet reacted to the Israeli announcement. This is somewhat normal until the Palestinian Islamist movement has officially confirmed the death of its leader.
Lebanese official and political circles did not react either while waiting for the image to become clearer. Social media, on the other hand, is flooded with comments. The hashtag #yahyasinouar has been shared more than one hundred and fifty thousand times in the few hours since the Israeli announcement.
An excerpt from an old interview with the Hamas leader, in which he said that the greatest gift the Israelis could give him was to assassinate him so that he would leave. as a martyr » comes back in a loop.
Many Internet users point out that Yahya Sinwar died in military fatigues, rifle in hand, fighting the Israeli army and not “ holed up in a tunnel ”, as Israel claimed.
Also readIsrael-Gaza War: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed north of Rafah
Journalist Amani Geha says that Yahya Sinwar “ died a hero as he lived “, ” in direct combat with the Israeli army “.
Farah al-Hashim, also a journalist, believes that the death of the Hamas leader “ will only amplify the anger and determination of the resistance in Gaza or Lebanon “. “ He will be replaced by another who will follow his path “, she assures.
If many comments are laudatory and regret the disappearance of a tough enemy of Israel, other reactions rejoice at this death. Haitham al-Awali claims that Yahya Sinwar “ suffered the fate of all those who sell their beards to Iran », in allusion to the close ties between Hamas and Tehran.
What impact could Sinwar’s death have on the ongoing war in Lebanon?
If there were to be consequences, they will certainly not be of an operational nature, because Hamas brings nothing to Hezbollah on a military level.
The consequences could be political if Yahya Sinwar’s successor is chosen among Hamas leaders who are based in Lebanon, such as Osama Hamdan. Such a scenario would embarrass the Lebanese authorities and complicate an already difficult situation to manage.
If, after the death of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas makes important concessions and accepts Israeli conditions for a ceasefire, it is Hezbollah that would be embarrassed among the Lebanese in general, and among its own popular base, especially. Because, ultimately, it is in the name of supporting Gaza that the Lebanese are enduring all this suffering, and that their country is being destroyed.
Also read[En direct] Israel announces death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar