Hamas Heir Apparent Ali al-Amawi Wounded in Gaza Strike, Official Confirms

A senior Hamas official revealed to the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that Ali al-Amawi, considered the leader of the organization in the Gaza Strip and dubbed "Sinwar's successor," was moderately wounded in an Israeli strike two weeks ago. The official, who remained anonymous, stated that al-Amawi was present in the targeted residential apartment but was in a peripheral area, thus surviving the attack. He is reportedly in good condition and receiving care in a secure location.

This marks the first time a Hamas official has acknowledged the accuracy of Israeli intelligence regarding a strike target. Al-Amawi, formerly responsible for Hamas's information dissemination, was released in the 2011 prisoner exchange deal for Gilad Shalit. In the past year, he has become a central figure in managing Hamas affairs in Gaza and is currently vying for the leadership of the organization's political bureau in the Strip against Nizar Awadallah.

The strike occurred on a Saturday morning two weeks prior in western Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of five people, including four women. At the time, Asharq Al-Awsat cited Hamas sources expressing doubt about al-Amawi's death, with one estimating he was present but might have survived. This assassination attempt was part of a broader Israeli campaign targeting Hamas leaders, including other senior figures.

Two days after the strike, another Hamas official, Razi Hamad, stated that al-Amawi had survived and accused Israel of violating the Gaza ceasefire through its continued assassination policy, warning of the agreement's collapse. He also placed responsibility on Washington to pressure Israel to cease these operations.

Al-Amawi, born and raised in Gaza, has a history with Israeli security forces, having been arrested in 1994 for his alleged involvement in the murder of Shin Bet coordinator Noam Cohen. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and released in the 2011 Shalit deal. His close ties to Sinwar, forged during their imprisonment, continued after their release, with al-Amawi serving as Sinwar's office director during his first term as head of Hamas's political bureau in Gaza from 2017 to 2021.

In 2021, al-Amawi was elected to Hamas's political bureau and appointed head of its information department, influencing the group's communication strategy and coordination. Following Sinwar's death in October 2024 and the elimination of other senior leaders, al-Amawi's influence grew significantly, reportedly taking over the management of the political bureau's affairs in Gaza. His recent organizational changes and appointments within Hamas have reportedly caused internal controversy, with some questioning his assumption of authority.

His current leadership bid against Nizar Awadallah has faced challenges, including an appeal filed by Awadallah after the first round failed to produce a decisive result. Reports suggest Awadallah is supported by Khaled Meshaal and Zaher Jabarin, while al-Amawi has the backing of Khalil al-Haya, though Al-Awsat noted uncertainty about al-Haya's definitive support. Despite his close association with Sinwar and his role in Hamas's political and organizational management, al-Amawi is not identified as a military commander, but rather a senior political-organizational figure whose influence has substantially increased due to wartime leadership losses.