“The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announces the election of brother mujahid Khalil al-Hayya as head of the movement’s political bureau, succeeding the martyred leader Yahya al-Sinwar,” Hamas said in a statement on Monday. Khalil al-Hayya is the group’s principal negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel.
A year later, Israeli soldiers in Gaza murdered Sinwar, whom Israel claimed was one of the main planners of the October 7, 2023, assault.
A five-person leadership council led by longtime senior official Mohammed Darwish has been in charge of Hamas since his passing.
Hayya, who was born in 1960, survived last year’s Israeli assassination attempt in Doha, while one of his kids perished in the attack.
“Khalil al-Hayya was elected by an overwhelming majority,” a senior Hamas source told AFP, adding that he is anticipated to formally take over the position next week. Hayya defeated experienced leader and former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal in the leadership contest.
“The political bureau will meet in Istanbul within days to form committees and begin restructuring Hamas’s leadership bodies.”
“The election process was conducted through a highly complex and secretive mechanism because of the difficult security situation and the occupation’s assassination of several political and military leaders,” a Hamas source stated, adding that the current five-member leadership council will be dissolved and its members will submit their resignations to the organization’s Shura Council.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, also announced their “full support” for Hayya.
Also Read – Hamas Names Top Negotiator Khalil al-Hayya as New Overall Leader