GAZA, March 23 (UPI) -- Hamas has chosen Abdel Aziz Ranteesi to be its leader in Gaza only, said Sheikh Sa'eed Seyam, a senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip.
Seyam told reporters that Ranteesi was a deputy to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder and the spiritual leader of the movement who was assassinated in Gaza by an Israeli airstrike on Monday.
"According to Hamas rules and regulations, Ranteesi, the ex-deputy of Sheikh Yassin is chosen to be the leader of the movement, and he was chosen to be the leader of the movement in the Gaza Strip only," said Seyam.
Seyam said that another leader for the movement in the West Bank would be chosen soon. He also said that there will be a leader for the Hamas movement abroad, "in the diaspora."
He reiterated that the movement of Hamas is still solid and united despite Yassin's death.
"Hamas has its own Shoura (debates and discussions) council and institutions that don't count on one person despite the character of Sheikh Yassin and the charisma he used to have," Seyam said.
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