In 2021, during a brief war with Hamas, Israel bombed Mr. Sinwar’s home in an unsuccessful attempt to kill him. Some Israeli officials said that, in the absence of signs of life, it was possible that he was dead. The assassination of the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in July infuriated Mr. Sinwar, according to American officials. In August, Hamas named Mr. Sinwar as its political leader, bolstering his power within the group. Israeli forces, who have used communications between Hamas leaders to target them, appeared unable to identify exactly how Mr. Sinwar exchanged information with other Hamas officials.
