Discussions to choose a successor for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whose death was confirmed on Thursday, are set to commence soon, according to two Hamas officials speaking to the BBC. Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s deputy and the group’s highest-ranking official outside Gaza, is reportedly a strong contender for the leadership position.
Al-Hayya, currently based in Qatar, leads Hamas’s delegation in ongoing ceasefire talks with Israel. His deep knowledge and understanding of the Gaza situation are seen as assets for the group’s leadership moving forward.
Hamas leaders will reconvene to select Sinwar’s successor just two months after the death of former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. A senior official within Hamas described Sinwar as the architect of the October 7 attacks, underscoring his role as a symbol of defiance against Israel.
Ceasefire negotiations have stalled since July, with many attributing the deadlock to Sinwar’s leadership. Despite his assassination, a senior Hamas official reiterated that the movement’s conditions for accepting a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages remain unchanged.
Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to hostilities, the transfer of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of the war-torn region—conditions Israel has firmly rejected, insisting that Hamas must surrender first.
In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands for Hamas to disarm and surrender, movement officials stated, “It is impossible for us to surrender. We are fighting for the freedom of our people, and we will not accept surrender. We will fight until the last bullet and the last soldier, just as Sinwar did.”
Sinwar’s assassination marks one of the most significant losses for Hamas in decades. However, despite the challenges ahead, the group has a history of resilience in replacing its leadership since the 1990s. While Israel has successfully targeted many of Hamas’s leaders and founders, the organization has demonstrated an ability to adapt and find new leaders.
As Hamas grapples with this pivotal moment, concerns remain regarding the fate of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and who will ensure their safety. Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya Sinwar’s brother, has emerged as a key figure in this context. He is believed to be leading remaining armed factions of Hamas and could significantly influence the movement’s future in Gaza.
As these leadership changes unfold, violence in Gaza continues unabated. On Saturday, dozens were reported killed in the Jabalia refugee camp as Israeli forces intensified their attacks against what they describe as Hamas attempts to regroup.
