Re-election for the second four-year term comes before May 22 legislative polls, the first Palestinian vote in 15 years.
Yahya Sinwar has been re-elected as leader of Hamas’s political wing in the Gaza Strip for a second four-year term, according to officials with the group running the besieged enclave.
His re-election on Wednesday comes before May 22 Palestinian legislative polls, the first Palestinian vote in 15 years.
Ismail Haniya, chief of Hamas’s political bureau and overall leader, congratulated Sinwar in a statement.
“The movement’s commitment to [internal] elections every four years confirms our deep faith in the principle of rotating power,” he said. “Today, the Hamas movement recorded a milestone in its history and is choosing its leaders in Gaza in a way that reflects authenticity and solid legitimacy.”
Palestinian news agency Maan quoted a Hamas source as saying that Sinwar won 167 out of 320 votes in Gaza’s Shura Council.
Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, confirmed that Sinwar had fended off a challenge from Nizar Awadallah, one of Hamas’s founders.
For his part, Awadallah stressed his support for Sinwar, saying in a statement: “We stand by hisIsmail Haniya, chief of Hamas’s political bureau and overall leader, congratulated Sinwar in a statement.
“The movement’s commitment to [internal] elections every four years confirms our deep faith in the principle of rotating power,” he said. “Today, the Hamas movement recorded a milestone in its history and is choosing its leaders in Gaza in a way that reflects authenticity and solid legitimacy.”
Palestinian news agency Maan quoted a Hamas source as saying that Sinwar won 167 out of 320 votes in Gaza’s Shura Council.
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