Khalil Al-Hayya new leader of Hamas

The Hamas hat Khalil Al-Hayya to hers new supreme leader chosen. That divided them radical Islamic Palestinian organization with that in Gaza Strip has been in power since the last election in 2006 and some of its leadership is also in exile. Al-Hayya follows Yahya Sinwar who was killed by Israeli troops in 2024.

Since the death of Sinwar and Ismail Haniyehwho died in an Israeli attack in Iran in July 2024, al-Hayya became an increasingly important figure in Hamas. He is also a negotiator in the negotiations for a permanent peace settlement for the Gaza Strip.

Four of his sons were killed in Israeli attacks

Al-Hayya, born in the Gaza Strip, spends most of his time in Qatar. Last year, Israel’s air force attempted to attack Hamas leadership in the capital, Doha, with al-Hayya reportedly being a target. However, according to Hamas, the attack failed. Four of his sons were killed in Israeli attacks, including one in the Doha attack.

Gaza Strip remains under Hamas control

There has been a ceasefire in the Gaza war since October 2025, but in fact deadly attacks or confrontations continue to occur. The disarmament of Hamas as planned in US President Donald Trump’s peace plan has not yet been implemented. Israel continues to control more than half of the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the ceasefire, Hamas has managed to re-establish its rule in the area in Gaza that it continues to control.

This internal election does not give democratic legitimacy to the population. The Palestinians in Gaza did not vote on this. The last general Palestinian parliamentary elections took place in 2006; there have been no new national elections since then. The “choice” that has now been reported only affects Hamas’s internal leadership structure.