The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas is in the final stages of choosing a new leader, with two prominent and experienced figures competing to head its political bureau, a senior Hamas official confirmed to AFP on Sunday. The leadership transition comes at a critical moment, as the movement works to "renew internal legitimacy and fill leadership vacancies" following the assassination of its previous chiefs by Israeli forces, and as it navigates the complexities of a tenuous ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
A Renewed Leadership Structure
The movement has recently completed the formation of a new Shura Council, a consultative body of more than 80 members largely composed of religious scholars, as well as an 18-member political bureau. These bodies were elected by thousands of Hamas members representing the movement's three branches: the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and the external leadership. Significantly, Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails were also eligible to participate in the vote.
"The movement has completed its internal elections in the three regions and has reached the final stage of selecting the head of the political bureau," the official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. He confirmed that the race is now between Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya, two figures with decades of experience within the resistance movement . A third Hamas source indicated that the new leader will serve for only "one year... a transitional period," a measure likely taken given the constant threat of Israeli assassination that has repeatedly decapitated the movement's leadership.
The Contenders
Both candidates bring extensive credentials to the leadership race. Khalil al-Hayya, 65, is a Gaza native and has served as Hamas's chief negotiator in ceasefire talks, holding senior roles since at least 2006 . According to a Hamas source who spoke to AFP last month, Hayya enjoys significant backing from the movement's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, a critical endorsement given the ongoing military dimensions of the conflict with Israel.
Khaled Meshaal, who previously led the political bureau from 2004 to 2017, has never lived in Gaza. Born in the West Bank in 1956, he joined Hamas in Kuwait and later resided in Jordan, Syria, and Qatar. The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) notes that Meshaal oversaw Hamas's evolution into a political-military hybrid during his tenure. He currently heads the movement's diaspora office, maintaining the external networks crucial for diplomatic and financial support.
The Shadow of Assassination
The current leadership selection process follows a devastating period for Hamas's command structure. Since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, it has assassinated several of the movement's top leaders, including two former chiefs. Former leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran in July 2024, an attack widely attributed to Israel. His successor, Yahya Sinwar, who was accused by Israel of masterminding the October 7 operation, was himself killed by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza city of Rafah three months later.
Following Sinwar's assassination, Hamas opted for an interim five-member leadership committee based in Qatar, postponing the appointment of a single leader until internal elections could be held. This precautionary measure was taken explicitly "given the risk of the new chief being targeted by Israel," a testament to the relentless assassination campaign waged by the occupation.
Future Challenges
Within Gaza, reactions to the leadership transition reflect both the immense suffering of the population and the hope for experienced guidance. "It will not make a difference to us in Gaza whether it is Meshaal or Hayya," said Ali, 40, a displaced Gazan. "We have paid a heavy price under Hamas' rule, and we need a leader who can ease the suffering we are experiencing" . Others, like Radwan Mortaja from southern Gaza, expressed confidence in the candidates' qualifications: "At this time, we need leaders with long experience... and who are acceptable to Arab countries to help stabilize Gaza. I believe figures such as Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya can help steer the situation during this difficult phase" .
The new leader will face immense challenges, including navigating international pressure led by the United States and Israel for the group to disarm, while balancing resistance to that demand from its armed wing. Hamas has indicated it would surrender its weapons to a Palestinian authority in Gaza under certain conditions, suggesting a pragmatic approach to post-war governance.
Meanwhile, the US-brokered ceasefire that entered its second phase last month remains fragile, with violence continuing in Gaza as Israel and Hamas trade accusations of violating the agreement. Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them women and children, while continuing to restrict the entry of humanitarian aid. As Hamas moves toward finalizing its leadership, the Palestinian people watch with cautious hope that the new chief can navigate these treacherous waters and steer the resistance toward a future of dignity, sovereignty, and lasting peace.