The Latest Breaking News from Yahya Sinwar

In today’s newsletter: The killing of Ismail Haniyeh raises tensions in an already fraught region, as Patrick Wintour and Bethan McKernan explain

Israeli PM Netanyahu warns of severe consequences after top Hezbollah and Hamas commanders are killed. Tensions escalate in the Middle East.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran has deprived Hamas of one of its most astute political strategists, but analysts have identifed three main contenders for his replacement. The decision will likely impact Hamas's future identity and evolution, between becoming a guerilla group or accepting difficult political compromises.

The militant Palestinian group Hamas has a history of swift and smooth replacement of fallen leaders killed in Israeli airstrikes

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ top leader in exile who landed on Israel’s wanted list after the militant group staged its surprise Oct. 7 attacks, was killed in an airstrike in the Iranian capital early Wednesday

Chris Stevenson analyses how will Israel, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah could respond to two high-profile killings

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a predawn air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination. Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the October 7 attacks.

While Hamas’s capacity to retaliate is diminished, response could come from axis of militias backed by Iran

Palestinian faction’s diplomatic face was ‘leading the political battle for Hamas with Arab nations’