On Monday, Hamas named senior political leader Khalil al-Hayya as its new head, concluding a two-year phase during which leadership was shared among a five-member council following the passing of Yahya Sinwar.
This appointment places a prominent figure from Hamas in charge of the organization amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Al-Hayya has been instrumental in the group’s political maneuvers and diplomatic efforts, particularly in ceasefire talks with Israel and collaborations with regional allies.
Hamas revealed the decision through an official statement. Al-Hayya takes over from Sinwar, who was killed in clashes with Israeli forces in 2024. Since that incident, governance had been collectively managed by a five-member council that included al-Hayya.
Following the deaths of Sinwar and former political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who died in Iran in July 2024, al-Hayya has stepped into a more significant role within Hamas.
Veteran Hamas Leader
Born in Gaza in 1960, al-Hayya became involved with the Muslim Brotherhood in the early 1980s and was a founding member of Hamas when it was formed in 1987.
He gradually ascended through the ranks, closely collaborating with past leaders Haniyeh and Sinwar.
Al-Hayya was a key participant in negotiations that brought an end to the 2014 Gaza conflict and has been engaged in ongoing mediation efforts related to the current war in Gaza. He has also represented Hamas in dealings with Arab and Islamic nations, known for his strong connections with Iran, a major supporter of the group.
As reported by Reuters, al-Hayya was among senior Hamas figures targeted in an Israeli airstrike in Doha in 2025, according to Israeli sources.
His formal appointment solidifies a leadership role he has been increasingly filling over the last two years as Hamas navigates its political, military, and diplomatic challenges in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
