Hamas elects Khalil Al-Hayya as new leader

Khalil Al-Hayya has been elected as the new supreme leader of the radical Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas, the group announced. Al-Hayya, who largely resides in Qatar, succeeds Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in 2024. The organization has governed the Gaza Strip since 2006 and includes leaders who live in exile.

Al-Hayya has become an increasingly prominent figure within Hamas since the deaths of Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Iran in July 2024. He also serves as a negotiator in discussions for a lasting peace settlement in the Gaza Strip. In the internal election, Al-Hayya defeated Khaled Meshaal, who previously led Hamas from 1996 to 2017 and also resides in Doha.

Born in the Gaza Strip, Al-Hayya spends most of his time in Qatar. Reports indicate he was a target in an Israeli air force attempt last year to strike Hamas leadership in Doha, though Hamas stated the attack failed. Four of his sons have been killed in Israeli attacks, including one during the alleged Doha incident.

Despite a de facto ceasefire since October 2025, the Gaza conflict continues with intermittent deadly attacks and confrontations. The disarmament of Hamas, envisioned in a peace plan by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has not been implemented. Israel continues to control over half of the Gaza Strip, but Hamas has reportedly consolidated its rule in the areas it still controls since the ceasefire began.