Hamas picks Khalil al-Hayya to lead political bureau after Sinwar
What’s next: A political bureau meeting in Istanbul is expected within days to dissolve the current leadership council and start a restructuring.
Hamas elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, replacing Yahya al-Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. Al-Hayya has been the group’s lead negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel and is expected to formally take the post next week. A senior Hamas official said al-Hayya won by an overwhelming majority over former chief Khaled Meshaal. Since Sinwar’s death, Hamas had been run by a five-member leadership council led by Mohammed Darwish. The group’s political bureau is set to meet in Istanbul within days to form committees, dissolve the current council and begin reorganizing Hamas leadership bodies.