Hamas will secretly choose a new leader, the name will remain secret until the spring.

Hamas has decided not to reveal the name of its new leader, the BBC reported. This is due to the murders of previous leaders of the group, including Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, which forced similar measures to be taken back in 2003.

Elections for a new leader are scheduled for March next year, until then the group will be run by a five-member committee. Following the assassination of Yahya Sinwar, his deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, serves as temporary leader and is in charge of Gaza affairs.

Sinwar's killing last week came as a surprise to the group's members because he was believed to be in a safe place, a Hamas spokesman said.