Following the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, Doha-Based Committee to lead the terror organization. Sinwar’s assassination by Israeli forces in Gaza has left a leadership vacuum that the group has decided to fill, not by appointing a single leader, but by establishing a ruling committee based in Doha.
This strategic move reflects the group’s attempt to maintain cohesive leadership amidst ongoing conflict and ensures decision-making continuity during the war and beyond.
Leadership Transition and Structure of the Doha Committee
The death of Yahya Sinwar on October 16, 2024, marked a pivotal moment for Hamas. Sinwar, who was the Gaza chief of the terror group and later its overall leader, was killed in Rafah by Israeli forces, just over a year into the war that had erupted following Hamas’s brutal attack on southern Israel in October 2023. With Sinwar gone, Hamas’s leadership faced an immediate challenge of succession amidst ongoing military pressure and the chaos of war.
Rather than electing a single successor for Sinwar, the group opted for a collective leadership model. This model involves a five-member committee based in Doha, Qatar, a move that underscores the group’s broader regional connections and reliance on external leadership hubs to maintain its operations.
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The committee, formed in August following the assassination of Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is tasked with steering the group through the current war and coordinating future strategic plans.
According to sources within Hamas, the committee includes representatives from both Palestinian territories—Gaza and the West Bank—as well as the diaspora. Khalil al-Haya represents Gaza, Zaher Jabarin represents the West Bank, and Khaled Mashaal represents Palestinians abroad.
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The leadership structure also involves Mohammed Darwish, the head of Hamas’s Shura advisory council, and a secretary of the political bureau, whose identity remains concealed for security reasons. This structure is intended to facilitate decision-making across different factions of the group, given the difficulty of communication with leaders in Gaza, particularly after Sinwar’s death.
The choice to establish a committee rather than appoint a single leader highlights Hamas’s tactical shift during this period of upheaval. With all members currently based in Qatar, the group can continue to coordinate its activities without the direct interference or constant threat posed by Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Challenges Facing the New Leadership
One of the primary challenges facing this new Doha-based committee is the ongoing war and the potential for ceasefire negotiations. Yahya Sinwar, who had masterminded the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel, was a controversial figure both inside and outside of Hamas.
His hardline stance and refusal to compromise during previous rounds of negotiations made him a polarizing leader. As the mastermind behind one of the most devastating attacks in the conflict, his approach shaped Hamas’s military and political strategy throughout the subsequent war.
With Sinwar’s death, the new leadership must now navigate the difficult task of engaging in internationally mediated talks, particularly regarding a potential ceasefire and the release of hostages. Sinwar had consistently rejected calls for a truce, sticking to rigid demands that Israel found unacceptable.
Now, with his absence, the group’s new leaders must decide whether to pursue a similar path of intransigence or adjust their strategy in the face of overwhelming military and diplomatic pressure.
The war, which continues to inflict heavy casualties on both sides, has seen intense international involvement, with countries and organizations pushing for de-escalation. The United States, the European Union, and Arab states have all called for a ceasefire, especially with the issue of hostages remaining unresolved.
Reports indicate that Hamas still holds 97 hostages in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The question of how to handle negotiations surrounding these hostages will be a significant test for the new leadership committee.
The committee’s ability to make strategic decisions is critical during this period, as any misstep could further isolate Hamas diplomatically or weaken its position militarily. However, according to one senior Hamas official, the group remains resolute in its refusal to release hostages unless the Israeli offensive in Gaza ceases. This hardline approach mirrors Sinwar’s strategy, suggesting that, for now, the group’s stance may remain unchanged.
The Future of Hamas Under the Doha-Based Leadership
The shift from individual leadership to a committee-based structure signals that Hamas is adapting to the harsh realities of the ongoing war and the recent assassinations of its top leaders. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024 and Sinwar in October have left the organization without its traditional figureheads, forcing a rethinking of its leadership model.
This collective approach, with representatives from Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora, ensures that all factions of the group have a voice in decision-making during a particularly turbulent period.
Khalil al-Haya, one of the committee’s key figures, has already spoken publicly about the consequences of Sinwar’s death, stating that Israel will come to regret its actions. His comments suggest that while the group is adjusting to a new leadership model, its core ideology and stance towards Israel remain unchanged. Al-Haya’s remarks emphasize that Sinwar’s “martyrdom” will only strengthen Hamas’s resolve in the face of Israeli aggression.
The group’s reliance on Qatar as a base of operations also sheds light on the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. Qatar has long been a critical supporter of Hamas, providing financial backing and a safe haven for its political leadership. The decision to house the committee in Doha reflects the group’s reliance on external allies to maintain its operations while under intense military pressure in Gaza.
Going forward, the committee will need to address several critical issues, including the ongoing military conflict, the potential for ceasefire talks, and the long-term strategic vision for Hamas. The group’s next internal elections are scheduled for March, assuming the war’s conditions permit, which means that the current committee’s mandate may be temporary.
However, the outcome of these elections could determine whether Hamas continues with this collective leadership model or reverts to a single figurehead.
The committee’s performance during this period will be closely scrutinized by both Hamas’s supporters and its adversaries. Internally, the group will need to maintain cohesion and prevent any potential power struggles that could emerge from its decentralized leadership model.
Externally, it will need to navigate the complex landscape of international diplomacy and military conflict, all while preserving its influence among Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and the broader diaspora.
Ultimately, Hamas’s future under this new leadership remains uncertain. The group has shown resilience in the face of repeated Israeli military strikes and the loss of key leaders. However, the challenges of managing a war, negotiating a potential ceasefire, and maintaining internal unity will test the capabilities of the Doha-based ruling committee.
Whether this model proves to be an effective long-term solution or merely a temporary measure until the next elections will largely depend on the committee’s ability to lead Hamas through this critical phase of its existence.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏