Cairo, Egypt – May 06: Portrait of Khaled Mashaal during an interview with the WSJ on May 06, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. Khaled Mashaal may be tapped as the new leader of Hamas after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. ( David Degner / www.DavidDegner.com )

Khaled Mashaal, Potential New Hamas Leader

Portraits of Khaled Mashaal during an interview with the WSJ on May 06, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.

Khaled Mashaal is set to be the new leader of Hamas, replacing Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran.

Mashaal, a former head of Hamas known for surviving an Israeli assassination attempt in 1997, has been a significant figure in the organization since the late 1990s, operating mainly from exile.

He has had strained relations with Iran due to his support for the Syrian opposition in 2011. Despite internal tensions and a previous departure from leadership, Mashaal is now expected to reassume a top position within Hamas.