Will Hamas get a new chief after Yahya Sinwar's death? Here's what reports suggest

The Palestinian militant group

Hamas

is leaning toward appointing a ruling committee based in

Doha

rather than a single successor following the death of their chief, Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar was killed by

Israeli forces

last week, a move that has spurred discussions within the group about its

leadership

moving forward.
According to sources within Hamas, the group has decided not to name a new leader until the next internal elections scheduled for March, provided circumstances allow.

“The Hamas leadership's approach is not to appoint a successor to the late chief, the martyr Yahya Sinwar, until their next elections,” a source from the group told AFP.

Mewanwhile, a five-member committee, which was formed in August after the assassination of

political chief

Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, will assume leadership responsibilities. Sinwar, who was appointed

Gaza

chief of Hamas in 2017, ascended to the top leadership role after Haniyeh's assassination in July.
The committee, comprised of key representatives from Gaza, the West Bank, and the Palestinian diaspora, includes Khalil al-Hayya (Gaza), Zaher Jabarin (West Bank), and Khaled Meshaal (representing Palestinians abroad). Two other key members are Mohammed Darwish, head of Hamas's Shura advisory council, and the political bureau's secretary. All members of the committee are currently based in Qatar.

The committee has been tasked with governing Hamas during the ongoing conflict, making strategic decisions, and shaping the group's future plans. “The committee will govern the movement during the war and exceptional circumstances, as well as its future trajectory,” the source said.
Another source revealed that there had been internal discussions about appointing a political chief whose identity would remain secret, but the leadership ultimately chose to proceed with collective rule through the committee.
Sinwar's death came as Israeli forces intensified their military operations in Gaza. He was killed in southern Gaza, more than a year into the war that erupted after Hamas launched a major offensive on October 7.
The death of Yahya Sinwar has created a leadership vacuum within the Palestinian terrorist organization. Various reports speculated about potential candidates who could step into the role.