The death of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has raised questions about who will step into his role at the top of the group. While Hamas has historically been quick in appointing new leaders, much of its senior leadership has been wiped out by Israeli military operations during the ongoing conflict.

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

The killing of Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar by Israeli forces on Wednesday will not stop the struggle against Israel, according to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "His death is painful,