The Palestinian militant group Hamas is leaning towards appointing a ruling committee primarily based in Doha moderately than a single successor following the demise of their chief, Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces final week, a transfer that has spurred discussions throughout the group about its management shifting ahead.Based on sources inside Hamas, the group has determined to not title a brand new chief till the following inner elections scheduled for March, offered circumstances enable. “The management’s method is to keep away from appointing a direct successor to the late chief, the martyr Yahya Sinwar, till the elections,” a supply from the group instructed AFP.Mewanwhile, a five-member committee, which was shaped in August after the assassination of political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, will assume management tasks. Sinwar, who was appointed Gaza chief of Hamas in 2017, ascended to the highest management position after Haniyeh’s assassination in July.The committee, comprised of key representatives from Gaza, the West Financial institution, and the Palestinian diaspora, contains Khalil al-Hayya (Gaza), Zaher Jabarin (West Financial institution), and Khaled Meshaal (representing Palestinians overseas). Two different key members are Mohammed Darwish, head of Hamas’s Shura advisory council, and the political bureau’s secretary. All members of the committee are at the moment primarily based in Qatar.The committee has been tasked with governing Hamas in the course of the ongoing battle, making strategic selections, and shaping the group’s future plans. “The committee will govern the motion in the course of the conflict and distinctive circumstances, in addition to its future trajectory,” the supply mentioned.One other supply revealed that there had been inner discussions about appointing a political chief whose id would stay secret, however the management in the end selected to proceed with collective rule via the committee.Sinwar’s demise got here as Israeli forces intensified their army operations in Gaza. He was killed in southern Gaza, greater than a yr into the conflict that erupted after Hamas launched a significant offensive on October 7.The demise of Yahya Sinwar has created a management vacuum throughout the Palestinian terrorist group. Numerous studies speculated about potential candidates who might step into the position.
