The Hamas movement announced on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2024, that Yahya Sinwar, the movement's leader in the Gaza Strip, has been chosen as the new head of the Hamas Political Bureau, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday. Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike targeting his residence in Tehran, shortly after attending the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Bezeshkian.

"Hamas announces the selection of Commander Yahya Sinwar as the new head of the movement's Political Bureau, succeeding Commander Ismail Haniyeh," the movement stated in a press release.

Following Haniyeh's assassination, Hamas had announced on Saturday the initiation of extensive consultations within its leadership and Shura institutions to select a new political bureau chief.

According to the movement's constitution, the president is elected by members of the Central Shura Council, which comprises approximately 50 members, including members of the central political bureau.

Last Wednesday, Hamas and Iran confirmed Haniyeh's assassination in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in Tehran, the day after his participation in the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Bezeshkian.

Haniyeh's assassination occurred amidst a devastating war waged by Israel, with American support, against Gaza since October 7, 2023. The war has resulted in over 130,000 Palestinian casualties, including a significant number of children and women, and over 10,000 missing persons.

Tel Aviv continues its war, disregarding the United Nations Security Council's resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the International Court of Justice's orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.