Who would lead Hamas now?

Khaled Meshaal is tipped to be the next Hamas leader, following the death of Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated yesterday in Tehran.

Another likely front runner is senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. Based in Qatar, Hayya has headed Hamas negotiators in indirect Gaza truce talks with Israel, has also been a possibility for the leadership as he is a favourite of Iran and its allies in the region, Reuters reported.

Meshaal’s relations with Iran have been strained due to his past support for the Sunni Muslim-led revolt in 2011 against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.