Hamas Picks Khalil al-Hayya to Lead Gaza as Internal Vote Reshapes Its Ranks

Hamas announced this morning (Monday) a series of leadership appointments, following internal elections recently held in the Gaza Strip. Khalil al-Hayya was chosen to replace Yahya Sinwar as Gaza’s regional leader, Zaher Jabarin was appointed to head the organization in the West Bank, and Khaled Mashal was selected to lead the terrorist organization’s activities abroad. In this way, according to assessments, continuity at the top of the movement is effectively maintained.

According to a report in the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Akhbar," which was based on "Hamas insiders," the elections held in Gaza serve as a preliminary stage toward selecting the head of the organization’s political bureau. According to assessments, the contest for the position is between al-Hayya and Mashal. It was further noted that al-Hayya’s very appointment as leader of the Strip significantly strengthens his chances of being elected to the senior post, among other reasons because Hamas has already prepared for this possibility by "reserving" an alternative leadership for Gaza.

Alongside the leadership changes, diplomatic contacts remain at an impasse. Despite American pressure to advance U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, Hamas rejects any discussion of disarming the organization as a condition for moving to the next stage.

Meanwhile, Hamas continues to promote a model of "hudna"—a long-term truce under which the organization would retain its weapons under international supervision. In Israel, this step is seen as an attempt to regroup ahead of another round of fighting.