Uncertainty for Hamas Leadership
Following Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, in Tehran on August 31, there has been great curiosity about who will take over the leadership of the organization. According to Hamas’ internal structure, the head of the political bureau is determined by the Shura Council. The three leading candidates in this process are Gaza Director Yahya Sinwar, Diaspora Director Khaled Meshal and Deputy Deputy Head of the Political Bureau Zahir Jabbarin. However, Hamas has not yet made an official statement on the matter.
Internal Structure of Hamas
The internal structure of the Hamas Movement is divided into two main branches: the Military and Political Wings. The Political Wing, on the other hand, has a tripartite structure. The Political Bureau, which is the highest level of the political wing, also represents the leadership seat of the organization. The 50-member Shura Council, formed by the Central Shura Council and the Executive Committee, appointed Khaled Meshal as the Diaspora Responsible in August 2021 and elected Ismail Haniyeh as the Gaza Responsible in his place. Yahya Sinwar took the vacant seat after Haniyeh. The Shura Council determines the new leader by voting for the names previously agreed upon by the organization’s leaders.
Uncertainty prevails
After Haniyeh was assassinated, there were some speculations that Khaled Meshaal would take his place, but the organization has not yet made an official decision on the matter. The war conditions and Israel’s targeting of the organization’s leaders make it difficult for the Shura Council to convene and make decisions. Because the Deputy Chairman of the Political Bureau, Saleh al-Aruri, who was expected to take over this position after Haniyeh, was killed by Israel in Beirut last December. The fact that Zahir Jabarin continues to serve as deputy to Aruri reduces the impact of this situation.
Hamas’ close relations with Iran are also considered a factor preventing Khaled Meshaal from assuming the leadership position. Yahya Sinwar, who is the most likely name to take over, is targeted by Israel, so there is serious uncertainty about who the organization’s new leader will be. This situation poses a significant question mark regarding Hamas’ future and internal dynamics.
