Thousands of mourners have converged around the flag-draped coffin of Hamas’ slain political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in the emirate of Qatar as the fallout from his death in an alleged Israeli attack surged with breathtaking speed.

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

The Jordan River winds for 200-plus miles to the east of Israel and the occupied West Bank, while the Mediterranean glitters to the west.

The gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel over two weeks ago.