Hamas Appoints More Hardline Khalil al-Hayya as New Leader Amid Israeli Strikes

Khalil al-Hayya has been appointed as the new leader of Hamas, a move anticipated by Israeli security officials and reflecting a shift from veteran candidate Khaled Meshaal. Both al-Hayya and Meshaal survived assassination attempts, including one on al-Hayya in Qatar in 2025 involving Israeli air force and Shin Bet intelligence. Qatar condemned the attack, demanding and receiving an Israeli apology and assurances against future strikes on its soil, granting al-Hayya and his close circle a form of immunity.

Al-Hayya, who served three years in Israeli prison in the 1990s for terrorist activities, is considered more pro-Iranian than Yahya Sinwar, who viewed ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as vital for Hamas’s survival. Israeli security sources believe Iran influenced al-Hayya’s selection and will integrate him into its plans for retaliation against Israel.

This leadership change occurs amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, the IDF has conducted approximately 300 airstrikes, killing over 250 militants, including 60 in the past month alone. While the IDF aims to degrade Hamas’s military and civilian infrastructure, Hamas has managed to delay a large-scale disarmament operation and continues to strengthen its control, military capacity, and economy under restrictions.

Despite U.S. proposals to create "terror-free zones" in Gaza, Hamas publicly appears to cooperate but covertly resists. Al-Hayya’s appointment signals a critical phase in Hamas’s survival after three years of conflict and ongoing stalemate with the Palestinian Authority.