GAZA: Hamas has announced the election of Khalil al-Hayya as the new head of its political bureau, marking a significant leadership transition for the Palestinian group following the death of Yahya al-Sinwar.
The announcement was made on Monday, with Hamas confirming that Hayya will officially succeed Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year.
In a statement, Hamas said Hayya was chosen to lead the movement’s political bureau after securing overwhelming support during an internal election. A senior Hamas official said the voting process was conducted under strict secrecy because of ongoing security concerns and the targeted killings of several senior political and military figures.
Hayya, who has served as Hamas’s chief negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel, is expected to formally assume his new position next week. According to Hamas officials, the political bureau will meet in Istanbul in the coming days to establish new committees and begin restructuring the organization’s leadership.
The election also signals the end of Hamas’s temporary five-member leadership council, which had managed the group’s affairs following Sinwar’s death. Members of the council are expected to submit their resignations to the movement’s Shura Council as part of the leadership transition.
Born in 1960, Khalil al-Hayya is regarded as one of Hamas’s most experienced political figures. He survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha last year, although one of his sons was killed during the strike. In the leadership contest, Hayya defeated veteran Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who previously headed the movement’s political bureau.
Representatives of Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, expressed full support for Hayya’s appointment, highlighting unity within the organization during a period of regional uncertainty and ongoing conflict.
The leadership change comes as Hamas seeks to reposition itself politically following recent developments in Gaza. Earlier this month, the group announced the dissolution of its de facto government in the enclave and expressed willingness to transfer administrative authority to a US-backed committee of Palestinian technocrats as part of a broader post-war peace framework.
Despite that announcement, Hamas said its existing ministries would continue operating with current staff while the group retained responsibility for security and policing in areas under its control. The move was viewed as an attempt to revive stalled peace efforts, although international officials have stressed that future assessments will depend on concrete actions rather than public commitments.
Hayya’s appointment places him at the center of Hamas’s political strategy as the organization navigates ceasefire negotiations, governance issues in Gaza, and continued regional tensions. His leadership is expected to shape Hamas’s approach to diplomacy, internal restructuring, and future negotiations with international mediators.
