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Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as its new overall chief, replacing Ismail Haniyeh<\/a><\/span><\/span> who was killed in Tehran last week.<\/p>\n Since 2017, Sinwar has served as the group’s leader inside the Gaza strip. He will now become leader of its political wing.<\/p>\n It is believed Sinwar remains in the Gaza strip, though his current whereabouts are unknown.<\/p>\n The announcement comes at a moment of heightened tension in the Middle East, as Iran and its allies threaten retaliation for the killing of Haniyeh, which they blame on Israel. Israel has not commented.<\/p>\n “The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announces the selection of leader Yahya Sinwar as the head of the political bureau of the movement,” a statement from Hamas said.<\/p>\n Sinwar currently tops Israel\u2019s most-wanted list. Israel\u2019s security agencies believe he masterminded the planning and execution of the 7 October 2023 attacks, which left over 1,200 people dead and 251 taken back into Gaza as hostages.<\/p>\n Sinwar has not been seen in public since the attacks in October, and is believed to be hiding \u201c10 storeys underground\u201d in Gaza, according to US Secretary of State<\/a> Antony Blinken.<\/p>\n Hamas is yet to release details of how he will lead the group\u2019s political bureau.<\/p>\n In 2015, the US included Sinwar on its blacklist of “international terrorists”.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n