Yahya Sinwar ordered the practice of suicide bombings to be resumed after he took over Hamas leadership following the assassination of the previous militant group chief Ismail Haniyeh, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing Arab intelligence sources.
"Now is the time to revive suicide bombings," Sinwar told a senior operative after taking power, according to the report. This directive came shortly before a failed suicide bombing in Tel Aviv when a Palestinian entered the city with a backpack loaded with explosives. Still, the bomb exploded before he reached his target.
The sources further said that many senior Hamas members strongly oppose these practices, but have not ventured to express their rejection openly since Sinwar came to lead the group.
