Hamas is likely to name Qatar-based Khalil al-Hayya as the successor to slain leader Yayha Sinwar, aligning the terrorist group closer to Iran and giving its main backer more sway in the next stage of its war with Israel.

Al-Hayya is a protégé of Ismail Haniyeh, Sinwar’s predecessor who was believed to have been assassinated by Israel in Tehran in July. He has been leading indirect negotiations with Israel over both a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks last year, which triggered the ongoing conflict.