How tentacles of Gaza war could entangle Middle East in an even more complicated conflict
Hamas is a secretive organisation that keeps its internal politics and divisions quiet. However, there is competition among the group's leaders.
Friday 5 January 2024 18:53, UK
The assassination of Hamas deputy leader, Saleh al Arouri, in a south Beirut neighbourhood highlights just how widespread Hamas's political leadership is.
The group has made itself at home over the years in Syria (until it left in 2012, during the Syrian civil war), Lebanon, Qatar and Turkey.
Its top brass regularly travels between Cairo, Istanbul, Ankara, Dubai and Amman.
If Israel persists with its stated goal of going after Hamas leaders "everywhere", the tentacles of this war and the reach of Mossad agents could entangle the Middle East in an even more complicated conflict.
Political science professor at Gaza's al Azhar University, Mkhaimer Abu-Saada, told Sky News that Arouri's death is a "big blow" for Hamas.
He says Arouri created a West Bank military wing of the group, and was the main interlocutor between Hamas, and Iran and Hezbollah.
"Hamas has always succeeded in replacing its leaders who are assassinated, like its founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and the leaders who were killed during the second intifada," Mr Abu-Saada says.
"This won't be the end of them."
Competition among leaders
Hamas is a secretive organisation that keeps its internal politics and divisions quiet. Unlike its political rival, Fatah - led by Mahmoud Abbas - it doesn't air its dirty laundry.
However, there is competition among Hamas leaders.
Arouri was looking to be the next chairman of the political wing of Hamas.
Gaza's political head, Yahya Sinwar, was after the same job.
Over the years there's been tension between Gaza's leaders, and the exiled Hamas bosses abroad, many of whom live comfortable lives in rich Gulf states like Qatar.
Despite the divisions, Hamas is a disciplined movement.
One of its slogans is "listen and obey". There is no room for dissent.
"During the 2007 civil war in Gaza between Hamas and Fatah, members of Hamas were ordered to kill their relatives who were members of Fatah, and they did it," Mr Abu-Saada explains.
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He says that during mediations for the first ceasefire in this war, Qatari negotiators communicated with the enclave's Hamas leadership first, and then the group's foreign leaders.
The key decision-making was being done inside Gaza, led by Sinwar.
For now, the assassination of Arouri has put negotiations in Cairo for another ceasefire on ice.
Hamas can't run talks on one track, while its leaders are assassinated on another. Egypt has also said it won't continue to facilitate talks.
"For now, it's difficult for Hamas to hold [ceasefire and hostage] talks, but eventually they will have to because there is no other way," Mr Abu-Saada says.