Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar, its Gaza leader and a planner of the October 7 terror attack on Israel, as the new head of its political bureau after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Israel accuses Sinwar of masterminding the attack and considers him a key target in its Gaza operations. Sinwar remains elusive, reportedly moving through Gaza’s tunnel network.

Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran has escalated fears of a broader Middle East conflict, CNN has reported.

Israel has vowed to target Sinwar, while Hamas’ allies, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, support his new role.