Hamas Appoints Khalil al-Hayya as New Leader, Signaling Hardline Shift and Stronger Iran Ties

Hamas has appointed Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, according to a decision made recently. Security expert Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior fellow at the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center and the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), described al-Hayya as a veteran member of Hamas’s founding generation with a significant political and academic background, including teaching Islamic studies in Gaza and elsewhere.

Prof. Michael emphasized that al-Hayya represents a more militant faction within Hamas, closely aligned with Iran, contrasting with Khaled Meshaal, who is Sunni-oriented and allied with Qatar and Turkey. Al-Hayya was reportedly involved in planning the October 7 attack and left Gaza shortly before it to manage Hamas’s foreign relations. His appointment re-centers Gaza in Hamas’s leadership and signals a tougher stance, likely reducing chances for reconciliation with Fatah and diminishing prospects for disarmament or demilitarization of Gaza as proposed in the Trump peace plan.

Al-Hayya also controls Hamas’s financial accounts, mostly managed through Qatar and Turkey, and is expected to strengthen the military wing in Gaza. He is likely to collaborate closely with Nizar Jabarin, Hamas’s leader in the West Bank, who operates from Turkey, to build Hamas infrastructure there and promote terrorism. The alliance aims to deepen ties with Iran, hoping Tehran will pressure Washington to negotiate a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, similar to its influence in Lebanon.

Prof. Michael contrasted al-Hayya’s hardline approach with Meshaal’s pragmatism and relative openness to reconciliation with the Palestinian Authority and Fatah. While Meshaal might have been more amenable to negotiations, al-Hayya’s leadership is expected to prioritize militant resistance and maintain close Iranian ties. However, al-Hayya’s position also gives him the authority to push for negotiations or Gaza’s reconstruction if he chooses, though such decisions would depend heavily on Iran’s stance.

Regarding the U.S. response, Prof. Michael noted Washington’s position is not unified and varies by interlocutor. He highlighted concerns about figures like Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz, who maintain strong financial ties with Qatar and are eager to finalize deals, which could complicate the situation. Al-Hayya’s rise marks a significant shift in Hamas’s leadership dynamics with potential regional implications.