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Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of the Gaza-based militant group Hamas, was killed in an Israeli drone attack in southern Gaza on Thursday. Sinwar's Deputy, Khalil Al-Hayya, acknowledged Sinwar's death on Friday and vowed to "continue the fight" against Israel.
Sinwar's death came almost on the heels of the killing of Hamas' leader before Sinwar, Ismail Hainyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, most likely by Israel. The loss of two leaders back-to-back has created a vacuum in the Hamas Political Bureau, leaving the group scrambling to find the next in command.
However, the Shura Council, the top political body of Hamas which names is leaders, is known for quickly doing the job. As a result, an announcement is expected soon.
Mohammad Sinwar or Khalil Al-Hayya?
Earlier on Friday, Israeli news outlet The Jerusalem Post reported citing security officials that Hamas’ next leader would be Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of Yahya Sinwar. However, Reuters later reported citing experts that Sinwar’s deputy, Khalil Al Haya, could be his successor, while Mohammad Sinwar is expected to assume a bigger role in directing Hamas’ war efforts against Israel.
Who Else Is On The Line?
Apart from Al-Hayya, who is currently the chief negotiator for Hamas, a few other Hamas leaders are also in the fray to become the chairman of the Political Bureau of Hamas. The report notes that former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who led the militant group before Ismail Haniyeh, is one of the contenders. Along with him, there is Mohammad Darwish, the current chairman of the Shura Council.
What The Experts Say
Ashraf Abouelhoul, an expert on Palestinian affairs cited in the Reuters report, said that he expected Sinwar’s responsibility to be split into two – leading military efforts and directing political affairs. Abouelhoul, who is the managing editor of Egypt’s state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram, believed that Iran, being Hamas’ strongest ally, would surely have a role to play in the appointment.
Meanwhile, Akram Attallah, a Palestinian political analyst, was more leaning towards a likelihood of Al-Hayya replacing Sinwar as the new Hamas chief. He said that there would be respect for the authority of Al-Hayya in Gaza.