Hamas elects veteran negotiator Khalil al-Hayya as new political chief

Hamas has chosen Khalil al-Hayya to lead its political bureau, the movement announced on Monday. Al-Hayya, a seasoned negotiator who has led the group's ceasefire talks for more than two years, secured 35 votes in an internal leadership ballot, narrowly defeating former chief Khaled Meshaal, who received 34 votes. The election completes a process that began in May after an initial round failed to produce a winner. Al-Hayya succeeds Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in Rafah in October 2024 after taking over following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July 2024. In the interim, a five-member council led by Mohammed Darwish managed the group's affairs. Al-Hayya's election restores a single leader to the top post and shows Hamas's ability to reorganise despite Israel's efforts to kill its senior figures. Born in Gaza City in 1960, al-Hayya has been a prominent figure in Hamas for decades. He served in the Palestinian Legislative Council after the 2006 elections and has been detained by Israel multiple times. He led negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Israel has killed several of his family members, including four sons, and attempted to assassinate him in 2007 and again in 2025. Al-Hayya now takes charge at a critical time as Gaza faces ongoing conflict and an occupied West Bank.