Hamas names Chalil al-Haja as new leader

Hamas has appointed Chalil al-Haja as its new leader, according to the organization. The move follows an internal election for the top position within the Islamist group.

Al-Haja had been a member of the five-man leadership council that has guided Hamas since October 2024, after the previous leader, Jihia al-Sinwar, was killed by Israel. Al-Haja is also involved in negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting peace settlement for the Gaza Strip.

Born in the Gaza Strip, al-Haja spends most of his time in Qatar. He was reportedly a target of an Israeli airstrike in Doha last year that aimed to strike Hamas leadership in the Qatari capital. Hamas claims the attack failed, though four of his sons were killed in Israeli attacks, including one in Doha.

Since October 2025, a ceasefire has been in place in the Gaza War, but deadly attacks and confrontations continue intermittently. The disarmament of Hamas, envisioned in a peace plan by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has not materialized. Israel continues to control over half of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas has worked to consolidate its rule in the territory it still controls since the ceasefire began.