Hamas announced on Monday that Khalil al-Hayya has been elected as the new head of its political bureau, filling the leadership vacancy left by the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar. The decision follows an internal leadership ballot where al-Hayya prevailed over former political leader Khaled Meshaal in a run-off vote.
Since Yahya Sinwar’s Martyrdom in October 2024, Hamas had been managed by a five-member collective council based in Doha. Al-Hayya’s election formalizes his position as the group’s top decision-maker.
The official conclusion of this internal ballot ends a long transition period for the group’s highest decision-making body. Following the change, the current five-member temporary council will officially dissolve as its members submit their resignations to the central Shura Council. The newly elected political bureau plans to convene in Istanbul within days to establish internal committees and fully restructure its administrative leadership bodies.
Al-Hayya brings decades of political and administrative experience to the chairmanship, having previously served as the deputy leader of the political bureau in Gaza. Born in Gaza in 1960, he joined the movement during its foundational years and maintained close operational ties with past leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. Over the years, he wielded major influence over the group’s external diplomatic presence and its internal civilian governance.
Notably, al-Hayya has long directed the movement’s external diplomatic strategy, serving as the chief negotiator in indirect ceasefire and truce discussions mediated by regional actors. His long-standing involvement in these sensitive international portfolios positions him as a primary point of contact for international intermediaries. His ascension signals that the movement will continue to centralize its foreign relations and high-stakes diplomacy under his direct oversight.
Furthermore, representatives of the group’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, explicitly declared their full support for al-Hayya’s election. This unified backing from the military leadership solidifies his authority across both the political and operational wings of the movement. Moving forward, the veteran diplomat assumes full responsibility for steering the organization’s political consensus, strengthening alliances with regional backers, and navigating the next phases of the conflict.
