In brief
Khalil al‑Hayya, a long-serving hard‑line Hamas official, has been chosen as the group’s overall leader following the death of Yahya Sinwar. Al‑Hayya’s rise came after a two‑round vote that exposed deep divisions within Hamas between those favouring a pragmatic political path and those advocating a continued armed stance. The election took place in Doha, where the coalition’s political bureau meets, amid a broader context of war‑driven destruction in Gaza and a contested ceasefire with Israel. Al‑Hayya’s survival of an Israeli strike in September 2025, and the loss of several of his sons, has bolstered his standing among hard‑liners. As the new leader, al‑Hayya will steer Hamas’ political strategy, which has resisted calls for full disarmament in favour of secure, long‑term Palestinian self‑determination.
The Palestinian armed group Hamas has elected Khalil al‑Hayya as its new overall leader, following the death of Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024.
Al‑Hayya, who has long headed the movement’s operations from exile, is seen as representing the hard‑line faction that emerged in the wake of the war that began in October 2023.
He had previously been a chief negotiator, leading delegations at cease‑fire talks in Egypt and Qatar, and has gained international attention for his diplomatic efforts.
The election followed a contested two‑round vote. In the first round, Khaled Meshaal received more votes than al‑Hayya but fell short of the required 36‑vote threshold. The second round, decided by a simple majority, saw al‑Hayya defeat Meshaal.
Hamas now faces a split over its future direction: hard‑liners like al‑Hayya favour maintaining armed pressure, while others advocate a more pragmatic approach that might curb confrontation yet preserve the movement’s core goals.
The Gaza war has weakened the group, destroying its infrastructure and killing many senior leaders. Whichever path Hamas chooses, it must navigate Israeli security concerns, international diplomatic pressure and the urgent need for reconstruction.
For more background, read BBC coverage of Hamas’ leadership changes and analysis of the Gaza conflict.
