Israel vows to eliminate new leader of Hamas

Israel has vowed to eliminate new Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, the alleged mastermind of the Oct 7 attack, with regional hostilities threatening to boil over as the Gaza war entered its 11th month.

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The naming of Sinwar to lead the Palestinian militant group came as Israel steeled itself for potential Iranian retaliation over the killing of his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh last week in Tehran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a military base on Aug 7 that Israel was determined to defend itself. "We are prepared both defensively and offensively," he told new recruits.

Army chief, Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, vowed to "find him (Sinwar), attack him" and force Hamas to find someone to replace him.

Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza since 2017, has not been seen since the Oct 7 attack, the deadliest in Israel's history. Analysts believe he has been more reluctant to agree to a Gaza ceasefire and is closer to Tehran than Haniyeh, who lived in Qatar.

"If a ceasefire deal seemed unlikely upon Haniyeh's death, it is even less likely under Sinwar," said Ms Rita Katz, executive director ofthe Site Intelligence Group.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was up to Sinwar to help achieve a ceasefire, saying he "has been and remains the primary decider".

Civilians in both Israel and Gaza met Sinwar's appointment with unease.