Hamas Appoints Khalil al-Hayya as New Political Bureau Chief Nearly Two Years After Sinwar's Death

Hamas has officially named Khalil al-Hayya as the new head of its political bureau, nearly two years after the killing of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Al-Hayya narrowly defeated Khaled Meshaal by a single vote, 35 to 34, in an internal election that included unprecedented participation from imprisoned members in Israeli jails. This election ended the interim five-member leadership council that had managed Hamas since Sinwar's death.

Al-Hayya, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza and a close ally of Sinwar and the Iranian axis, is known for his strong ties to Tehran. He won over Meshaal, who represents a more independent line with close relations to Qatar and Turkey. Hamas sources said the Gaza Shura Council voted almost unanimously for al-Hayya, with final results factoring in votes from the West Bank and abroad.

Born in Gaza in 1960, al-Hayya has been active in Hamas since its founding in 1987 and has held various leadership roles, including deputy to Sinwar since 2017. He has survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts that killed four of his sons and destroyed his home. Al-Hayya also led indirect negotiations with Israel and met with U.S. officials, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during hostage release talks.

Despite his engagement in diplomacy, al-Hayya maintains a hardline stance, rejecting any plan to disarm Hamas or end its control of Gaza. He described the October 7 attacks as a "military failure" by Israel and a response to Palestinian neglect. His election suggests Hamas will continue its current strategy, emphasizing Gaza's centrality and maintaining close ties with Iran, Qatar, and Turkey.

Al-Hayya's appointment marks a continuation of the leadership style established since 2017 under Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, with a focus on strengthening Hamas's military and political position in Gaza amid ongoing regional tensions and uncertain future agreements between the U.S. and Iran.