Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, faces a critical juncture following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Haniyeh's death has left a leadership vacuum that Hamas must swiftly address amidst ongoing pressure since the conflict in Gaza nearly 10 months ago.
With Haniyeh's deputy, Saleh Arouri, also killed in an Israeli strike earlier this year, the group's Shura council is expected to convene to select a new successor. Potential candidates include Khaled Mashaal, a seasoned Hamas official, and Khalil al-Hayyah, a prominent figure within the organization.
