Top Contenders to Succeed Slain Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

tel aviv - Learn about the three most likely successors to the recently killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The political leadership is expected to once again be fulfilled by a Hamas official from abroad. The top contender is Khaled Meshaal, who has temporarily taken over from Sinwar. The 68-year-old Palestinian spent most of his recent years in luxury hotels in Doha and other capitals. Meshaal, who previously led Hamas, is not universally popular in Gaza. He was even a candidate last summer to succeed Ismail Haniyeh, but Sinwar prevented that due to Meshaal's strained relations with Iran, Hamas's main ally. On the other hand, Khalil al-Hayya, a close ally of Sinwar staying in Qatar, is another important candidate. Al-Hayya, who lost many family members in Israeli attacks, previously expressed willingness to lay down weapons in exchange for a Palestinian state, a stance different from Sinwar's. One more significant contender is Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya's younger brother, feared for his temperament and role in planning recent events in Gaza.

It remains to be seen how the leadership transition in Hamas unfolds, particularly considering the dynamics between Gaza-based commanders and their counterparts abroad. The future direction of Hamas, especially in Gaza, where recent decisions were made by individuals like Sinwar, is uncertain. The involvement of individuals like Meshaal, Al-Hayya, and Mohammed Sinwar could shape Hamas's strategy moving forward. Despite the uncertainty, these figures hold key positions that could influence the group's direction.