“The Phantom” Rebuilds Hamas’ Capabilities in Gaza: Mohammed Al-Sinwar Recruits Thousands of Fighters

The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal has published a report on what it describes as the new commander of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza, Mohammed Al-Sinwar, who is the brother of the former Political Bureau Chief of the movement, the martyr Yahya Al-Sinwar.

According to the report, which was translated by Arabi21, Hamas has another Al-Sinwar, and he is currently rebuilding the movement. Under the leadership of Yahya’s younger brother—killed in October 2024—Mohammed Al-Sinwar is recruiting new fighters and drawing Israel into a war of attrition.

Despite Israel’s ongoing military campaign over the last 15 months that has turned much of the Gaza Strip to rubble, killed thousands of fighters and leaders within Hamas, and sealed off every crossing that the movement could use to re-arm, Hamas—once well-trained and well-armed—now finds itself weakened. However, the violence and destruction have sparked a new generation of willing volunteers across Gaza. Unexploded ordnance scattered throughout the area provides a source of material that Hamas fighters can repurpose into improvised explosives.

The report clarifies that Hamas uses these rudimentary tools to continue striking the Israeli army and inflicting painful blows. Last week, the Israeli army announced the death of 10 soldiers in the Beit Hanoun area, located in northern Gaza. Within the last two weeks, Hamas has reportedly launched around 20 rockets toward Israel.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that Hamas’ recruitment campaign, along with its ongoing military operations, poses a significant challenge to Israel. Although the Israeli army has targeted Hamas units and brigades repeatedly, it has had to return multiple times to areas previously declared “cleansed” of militants to pursue them again.

This cycle illustrates how difficult it is to end a conflict that has exhausted Israeli forces and put the lives of Israeli captives held by Hamas at risk, according to the report.

Quoting retired Israeli General Amir Avivi, the newspaper says: “We are in a situation where Hamas is rebuilding itself faster than the Israeli army can destroy it.”

The article adds that Mohammed Al-Sinwar stands at the center of Hamas’ efforts to endure. When his brother Yahya was killed last year, Hamas—whose political wing operates from Doha, Qatar—decided not to appoint a single leader and instead moved to a collective leadership model.

However, according to Arab mediators involved in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, many local field commanders in Gaza were dissatisfied with this approach. They now operate under the independent leadership of Mohammed Al-Sinwar.

Mohammed, who is about 50 years old—ten years younger than his late brother—joined Hamas at a young age, just like Yahya did. Unlike his brother, who spent two decades in Israeli prisons, Mohammed did not serve a long sentence, making him relatively unknown to the Israeli security establishment.

According to Arab officials, he has long worked behind the scenes, earning him the nickname “The Phantom.” An Israeli official told the newspaper, “We are working hard to find him.”

Israeli officials believe Mohammed Al-Sinwar was one of those responsible for the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, which ultimately led to the release of his brother Yahya in 2011. After the death of the older brother and Mohammed Al-Deif—whom Israel claims it killed in the summer of last year (with Hamas not confirming his death)—Mohammed Al-Sinwar emerged as the leading military figure in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in northern Gaza, according to political analysts and activists.

Before the war, Hamas was believed to have around 30,000 fighters, according to estimates. Israel claims it killed 17,000 of them and arrested thousands more, in addition to destroying most of the movement’s 24 military brigades.

It remains unclear how many new recruits have joined, although Israel admits Hamas has indeed enlisted new fighters. Despite their limited experience, these new recruits have been launching “hit-and-run” attacks. Israel estimates the figure could be in the thousands. Recruitment is reportedly taking place at funerals and community gatherings.

This fresh wave of recruitment has prolonged the war that began after the events of October 7—leading to the deaths of more than 46,000 Palestinians and 400 Israeli soldiers. Israel has maintained a siege on northern Gaza for over three months, yet, as the newspaper highlights, there are still numerous fighters resisting on the ground.

It appears Mohammed Al-Sinwar is every bit as determined as his older brother. According to Arab officials linked to the negotiations, he insists on a permanent ceasefire that will ensure Hamas survives.

In a message allegedly written by Mohammed Al-Sinwar last year and reviewed by the newspaper, he stated: “Hamas is in a strong position to impose its terms.”

In another letter, he wrote, “If there is no comprehensive agreement to end the suffering of the people of Gaza and justify the blood and sacrifices made, Hamas will continue fighting.”

Before the war, Hamas had a massive arsenal, despite Israel’s continued efforts to close the smuggling routes—particularly along the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt.

Israel’s struggle to uproot Hamas stands in contrast to its success in assassinating some of its leaders both inside and outside Gaza—along with members of the top ranks of Hezbollah. Among those targeted by Israeli assassinations was the Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who reportedly came to show solidarity with Gaza immediately after the war, according to the newspaper.

In a statement on January 10, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew acknowledged that the United States has long held the view that setting the destruction of Hamas as a formal objective was a mistake.

The United States continues pressing Israel to devise a plan for governing the Gaza Strip post-war so Hamas can be removed from power. Many within the Israeli security establishment agree: they want the government to create a new authority capable of curbing Hamas’ control over parts of Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority being the most realistic option.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes granting the Palestinian Authority a role, given that it still administers parts of the occupied West Bank. Other potential players—such as various Arab nations—remain hesitant to take responsibility for Gaza while Hamas continues to pose a military threat.