Hamas Chief and one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attack, Yahya Sinwar was killed by the Israel Defense Forces. IDF on Thursday informed that Sinwar was eliminated. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the killing of Sinwar and reinstated that ‘It is not the end of the war in Gaza.’ He added, “Yahya Sinwar is dead, he was killed in Rafah by the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. While this is not the end of the war in Gaza, it’s the beginning of the end.” After the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on 31 July 2024, Hamas had named Yahya Sinwar as the new ‘overall leader’ of the movement and also the new head of Hamas Political Bureau.

With Sinwar’s death, arises the question that who will be the next Hamas Chief?

At a time, when peaceful negotiation is not in the cards and Israel has vowed for destruction, who will lead Hamas and carry the weight to combat IDF is an important discussion.

Here’s a look at key figures who could be the next Hamas Chief

Mahmoud al-Zahar

Mahmoud al-Zahar is one of the founding members of Hamas in 1987. He was born in 6 May 1945 in Gaza City. He served as the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority from 2006to 2007. He is a graduate of Cairo University. Prior to his affiliation with Hamas, he worked as a surgeon in Palestine. In 1998, Zahar was detained by Israeli authorities and was exiled to Lebanon in 1992. He was elected for Hamas to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 and is still a member. He is considered as an important figure in Hamas’s political structure.

Mohammed Sinwar

Another person who can lead Hamas is Yahya Sinwar’s brother Mohammed Sinwar. He is a militant and leader of the military wing of Hamas based in the Gaza Strip. He served as the leader of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade in 2005. He has spent several years in imprisonment during 1990s. He has escaped several assassination attempts of Israel. He had a role in abduction of Gilad Shalit in 2006. He is believed to be one of the masterminds of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7. His experience as a leader of military wing and Yahya’s brother makes him a potential successor.

Mohammed Deif

Mohammed Deif is a militant and head of Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing Hamas. He joined Hamas in 1987, just few weeks after it was established. He played an active role in planning several suicide bombing attacks, including the 1996 Jaffa Road bus bombings during the 1990s and early 2000s. He assumed the charge as head of the al-Qassam Brigades in 2002. Following that he is known to have developed the group into organised military units and has enhanced the capabilities also. He is considered to be a masterminded behind combining rocket attacks on Israel with tunnel warfare.

Mousa Abu Marzook

Mousa Abu Marzook is a senior member of Hamas. He served as the first chairman of Hamas Political Bureau from 1992 until 1996. He was appointed deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau from January 1997 until April 2013. He was later succeeded by Ismail Haniyeh. His association with Hamas from 1987 gives him a benefit to be in the race of next Hamas Chief. As per reports, as a leader of Hamas in the US, he held secret talks with the US government officials. He carried financial operations of Hamas.

Khaled Mashal

Khaled Mashal served as Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau from 1996 to 2017. He has carried duties as the de facto leader of Hamas twice, from July to August 2024 and from October 2024. He is regarded as one of the most prominent leaders of Hamas. He was a founding member of Hamas’ political bureau and was elected chairman in 1996. Mashal has a remarkable career as a political leader.

Khalil al-Hayya

Khalil al-Hayya is an important figure in the political structure of Hamas. He served as the deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau since August 2024. He has been elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council since January 2006 as a representative of Gaza City. As per reports, Khalil al-Hayya said they attacked Israel on October 7, since it was necessary to “Change the entire equation and not just have a clash.”