LAWMAKERS SAY THAT ELECTING SINWAR REVEALS HAMAS’ INTENTIONS TO START A NEW ROUND OF VIOLENCE:

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman and also a former Shin Bet director, MK Avi Dichter (Likud), said that Hamas elected a leader, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza who is a murderer by all means. "Even when he was in prison he continued his activities – he lives for killing," said Dichter. "This appearance that Hamas has a political branch and a military branch was always wrong and today it's officially gone." Dichter added that "Hamas leadership sees the world through the rockets, the tunnels and the attacks on Israel. This is what they wish for." Dr. Kobi Michael, former Deputy Director General at Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs, said Sinwar "represents the most radical and extreme line of Hamas," and is affiliated with, and favors support from, Iran. Describing Sinwar as a "bitter enemy" of Egypt, Michael said Sinwar also favored cooperation with ISIS affiliates fighting the Egyptian Army in Sinai. (J.Post)