Hamas announced on Monday that it has elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader nearly two years after its previous leader was killed. File Photo courtesy Al-Aqsa TV | License Photo
Hamas announced Monday that it has elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader nearly two years after its previous leader was killed.
Khaled Meshal, a former Hamas leader, contended with al-Hayya for the role. Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ last overall leader, was killed by the Israeli military in 2024, leaving the top leadership position vacant for nearly two years.
The 65-year-old al-Hayya was a deputy for Sinwar when he led the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He has since served as Hamas’ chief negotiator.
Al-Hayya has been a key figure in Hamas’ negotiations for a cease-fire with Israel, meeting with mediators in Egypt and Qatar for indirect talks with Israel.
Last year, al-Hayya survived an Israeli airstrike that killed five other Hamas leaders, including one of his sons.
Al-Hayya has remained involved in negotiations despite leaving Gaza before the war with Israel and living in exile. He has called for the end of the war and the release of Israeli hostages.
Hamas has remained without a top political leader since 2024. Sinwar’s predecessor Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by Israeli forces in 2024 while in Tehran, Iran. Sinwar served as the group’s political leader for a short time after Haniyeh’s death before being killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
Palestinian detainees return home
Relatives interact with Palestinian detainees that were released as part of the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas at the Ramallah Cultural Centre in Ramallah, in the West Bank, on October 13, 2025. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI | License Photo
