Following the assassination of Ismail Haniya, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, after an airstrike targeted his residence in the Iranian capital, Tehran, attention now turns to the most prominent candidate to succeed him. This moment is crucial in the path of the Palestinian resistance movement and for all Palestinian resistance factions, as they must choose a new leader capable of guiding Hamas through a phase filled with political and security challenges amid the genocide being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza since October 7. Several names are being circulated within the movement, each carrying a vision and strategy that could shape the future of Hamas in light of escalating tensions in the region. Who might this potential candidate be to take the reins after Ismail Haniya?
- **Ziad al-Nakhaleh**: A Palestinian politician and the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine since 2018, following the illness of the former Secretary-General Ramadan Shallah. Ziad previously served as the Deputy Secretary-General and was elected as the new Secretary-General of the movement in late September 2018.
- **Khaled Meshaal**: Khaled Abdul Rahim Ismail Abdul Qadir Meshaal, "Abu al-Walid" (born Slawad on May 28, 1956), is a Palestinian politician and one of the founders of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). He served as head of the political bureau of the movement from 1996 until May 2017. Meshaal and Hamas adopted the principle of jihad and resistance to liberate Palestinian land, dedicating his life to serving the Palestinian cause.
- **Mahmoud al-Zahar**: Born in 1945 in Gaza to a Palestinian father and an Egyptian mother, he spent his early childhood in Ismailia, Egypt. He received his primary, preparatory, and secondary education in Gaza and earned a bachelor's degree in general medicine from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1971, followed by a master's in general surgery in 1976. He worked as a doctor in hospitals in Gaza and Khan Younis until he was dismissed by the Israeli authorities due to his political views. Al-Zahar is considered one of the prominent leaders of Hamas and a member of the political leadership of the movement.
- **Musa Abu Marzouk**: Born in 1951, he is one of the founders of Hamas and an important member of its political bureau. He was the first head of the political bureau of Hamas (1992-1996), born in the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza in 1951. His family was forcibly displaced from the village of Yibna in the Ramla district after the Palestinian Nakba in 1948, moving to the Rafah refugee camp. He currently resides in Lebanon and possesses experience in political and diplomatic work, known for his relatively moderate positions and openness to dialogue.
- **Khalil al-Hayya**: Born in 1960 in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza, he is considered one of the prominent and influential figures in Hamas. He currently holds the position of Deputy Head of the political bureau of the movement in Gaza and has been a member of the political bureau since 2017. Al-Hayya is known for his leadership role in the movement and extensive political experience. He is characterized by his ability to communicate with various Palestinian and Arab parties and is considered one of the relatively moderate figures within Hamas.
