Hamas announces it has elected Khalil al-Hayya as the overall head of its political bureau, replacing Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024 during fighting in Gaza. Multiple outlets report that the decision follows a period in which Hamas did not hold a full election after Sinwar’s death and instead operated through a smaller leadership arrangement. Al-Hayya is described as a veteran Hamas official and long-time negotiator involved in indirect talks with Israel, including efforts around ceasefires. He is also portrayed as having ties with Iran and as having based himself abroad, including in Qatar.

Sources add that al-Hayya previously survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha in September 2025, which killed his son and an office director and wounded others. Several articles also note the impact of other Israeli strikes on his family over the years. Hamas officials and reporting outlets say al-Hayya defeated former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in a leadership contest, and that he is expected to take up the role following internal political steps, including meetings to reorganize Hamas’s leadership bodies and committees.