The killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza strip has forced the Palestinian terror group to look for a new chief to fill the leadership vaccum. Several reports have suggested that Hamas will likely name a new political leader based outside Gaza and give bigger role to Sinwar's brother as it fights the war against Israel in the territory.Sinwar, the architect of the October 7, 2023 attack, was killed in an exchange of fire with IDF forces in Gaza’s Rafah on Wednesday - the second time in less than three months that Hamas has lost its top leader.Sinwar's death is expected to have a great influence on the Gaza-ruling terror group, which now faces "a new stage", Israel's Kan public broadcaster reported.Israel's Walla website, quoting sources in the Israeli defense establishment, expressed doubt that anyone can successfully replace Sinwar.Though Sinwar had been the Hamas leader in Gaza for many years, he took control of the entire organization barely two months ago following the assassination of previous leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, allegedly by Israel.Khaled Mashaal
Hamas political bureau leader Khaled Mashaal, who resides in Qatar, has emerged as one of the contenders for the top job.A prominent leader of Hamas for decades, Mashaal has been leading the group's talks with Israel during the ongoing war.He famously survived an Israel assassination attempt in Jordan in the 1990s. The Mossad poisoning operation was botched when the agents were arrested, forcing Jerusalem to hand over to Jordanian authorities an antidote in exchange for their release, Times of Israel reported.On Thursday, Lebanese news channel LBCI claimed that Mashaal may be made the acting leader of Hamas until a replacement for Sinwar is appointed. Mashaal would also be responsible for communications with mediators in talks for the release of the hostages, the channel added.Muhammad Sinwar
Several outlets mentioned Sinwar's younger brother Muhammad may be made the new chief. According to Channel 13, Muhammad has survived five assassination attempts by Israel. The IDF on Thursday said it is actively searching for him in the Gaza Strip along with other remaining Hamas commanders.A senior commander in the terror group’s military wing, Muhammed Sinwar has been the mastermind of several terror activities against Israel. In the 1990s, he spent nine months in a jail in Israel and an additional three years in a Palestinian Authority prison in Ramallah, from which he escaped in 2000.The Ynet news site, however, claimed that Muhammad is not considered the likely replacement as overall Hamas chief. Other military wing commanders
The Walla outlet mentioned two more senior Hamas military wing commanders as possible successors to Sinwar. These are Gaza commander Az al-Din Haddad, and Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana. Shabana was recently targeted by Israel recently, though his death has not been confirmed.Khalil al-HayyaAnother name doing the rounds is that of senior Hamas politburo official Khalil al-Hayya, who is also in Qatar.According to reports, Al-Hayya enjoys huge clout in the Hamas political bureau and was considered one of the few people whom Sinwar felt he could rely on.Other politburo officials
In addition, Ynet news site named two other senior Hamas political officials: Mousa Abu Marzouk, and head of the Hamas Shura Council Muhammad Ismail Darwish as potential successors to Sinwar.