Hamas to Keep Identity of New Leader Secret to Prevent Further Assassinations After Yahya Sinwar’s Death

Hamas will keep the identity of its new leader confidential to prevent another assassination following the death of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks.

A representative of the group informed the BBC that a new leader will be elected in March 2025, but until then, a five-member committee will manage the organization.

This committee, which will operate in lieu of a single leader, includes Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Meshaal, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Darwish (head of the Shura Council), and a fifth, unnamed member.

The official expressed concern over the assassination of Sinwar, 61, noting that they believed he was in a more secure location at the time of his death.

They also stated that Hamas possesses the necessary resources and personnel to ensure their safety.

Additionally, the official mentioned that the Iranian foreign minister met with Khalil al-Hayya in Ankara on Friday to express condolences for Sinwar’s death.

Sinwar was killed on Wednesday after being pursued by intelligence agencies and the Israeli Defense Forces for over a year.

Israeli officials indicated that he was targeted after emerging from an underground tunnel system where he had been hiding.

On Wednesday morning, a unit from the IDF’s 828th Bislamach Brigade was patrolling Tal al-Sultan in Rafah when they encountered three Hamas fighters on the street and engaged them in a firefight.

The IDF reported that the fighters were “on the run,” moving from house to house. One of the fighters, later identified as Sinwar, ran into a building and went up to the second floor. In response, the troops fired a tank shell in his direction.

The unit, consisting of trainee infantry commanders and reservists, began to sweep the area. According to Israeli media, two grenades were thrown at them—one detonated while the other failed to explode.

Feeling it was too dangerous to advance, the troops withdrew and deployed a mini drone to track the fleeing fighter instead.

Dramatic footage released by the IDF shows a bloodied Sinwar, with his face covered by a scarf, throwing a stick in a last-ditch effort to defend himself against the drone just seconds before his assassination.