Hamas Nears Decision on New Political Bureau Chief

Hamas is set to decide on a new head of its political bureau within days, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar. The vote would end the interim leadership phase put in place after the killing of Yahya Sinwar last October.

The decision marks Hamas’s most significant leadership move since Israeli strikes eliminated senior figures during the war. Arab media report the outcome could influence the group’s internal balance of power and its approach to the fighting and regional ties.

According to Al-Akhbar, Hamas moved quickly after Sinwar’s death by shifting decision-making from a single leader to a temporary collective leadership. The group shifted to a temporary “Leadership Council” led by Mohammed Darwish, head of the Shura Council, so it could continue functioning despite the loss of senior leaders. The report said Sinwar had previously supported this model, arguing that Hamas should keep operating even if top figures were targeted.

Al-Akhbar reported that the Leadership Council included Darwish as chair, with Khalil al-Hayya as deputy, alongside representatives for Hamas’ overseas leadership, the Judea and Samaria, and Gaza. The model was aimed to spread authority and ensure continuity during wartime.

That interim phase is now ending. Al-Akhbar said the Shura Council, the body responsible for choosing Hamas’ leadership, now has enough members present to formally hold a vote. With that threshold met, the report said an “internal competition” has intensified in recent days.

Arab coverage identifies two leading contenders. One is Khaled Mashal, a former head of Hamas’ political bureau who has long led the movement abroad. The other is Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ deputy leader in the Gaza Strip.

Asharq reported that al-Hayya is viewed internally as favoring the continuation of armed confrontation “until the war ends and Israeli forces withdraw,” while Mashal is associated with a line that emphasizes “negotiated compromises” and recalibrating Hamas’ regional relationships. 

Al-Akhbar also reported that an attempt to settle internal disagreements failed. Under the proposal, Darwish would have served a full term as political bureau chief, while key responsibilities were divided among other senior leaders, including Mashal and al-Hayya. The plan collapsed, intensifying the rivalry ahead of the vote.