Hamas set to choose successor for Sinwar amid ongoing Gaza conflict

Palestinian group Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it is in discussions to select a successor to its leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israel in combat last week.

Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk stated that the movement has not yet elected a new leader and will announce the name of the successor to Sinwar after the selection process is complete.

Speaking to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Abu Marzouk affirmed that Hamas will "certainly announce" its new chief, denying reports of keeping the identity secret for fear of targeting by Israel.

He also asserted that Israel would not be able to "expel Hamas from the Gaza Strip," emphasising that other leaders will always emerge to replace those who are killed.

This follows a report from the French news agency AFP on Tuesday, indicating that Hamas is considering the establishment of a ruling committee instead of appointing a single successor to Sinwar. 

A source said to be well-informed of the plan stated, "The Hamas leadership’s approach is not to appoint a successor to the late chief, the martyr Yahya Sinwar, until their next elections" scheduled for March "if conditions permit."

Additionally, a five-member committee, formed in August after the assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh, was said to take over the group's leadership after reportedly facilitating decision-making amid communication challenges with Sinwar before his death.

A report from the BBC indicates that Khalil al-Hayya, who served as Sinwar's deputy and is the most senior Hamas official outside of Gaza, is viewed as a leading candidate for the group's leadership.

Based in Qatar, al-Hayya is responsible for the Hamas delegation in ceasefire negotiations with Israel and has a comprehensive understanding of the Gaza situation.

According to sources who spoke to the BBC, al-Hayya has taken charge of political and foreign affairs, functioning as the movement's acting head.

The report also similarly highlighted that Hamas plans to elect a new leader in March next year, but until then, the group will be managed by a five-member committee.

This committee includes al-Hayya, Khaled Meshaal, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Darwish (head of the Shura Council), and one unidentified member.

Sinwar became the chief of Hamas in Gaza in 2017, later succeeding Haniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel in Tehran in July.