Hamas has appointed Khalil Al-Hayya, known for his hardline views, as the group's new supreme leader, signaling no intention to abandon armed struggle and rejecting any disarmament.
On Monday, 20 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Hamas issued a statement announcing Khalil Al-Hayya as its new supreme leader. Analysts see this move as a sign that the group may take a tougher stance against Israel's demands for their disarmament.
Al-Hayya will replace Yahya Sinwar, who died in fighting against Israeli forces in October 2024 during the conflict that erupted a year earlier and shows no sign of ending.
Al-Hayya has been Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip living in exile abroad and served as chief negotiator before becoming a key figure in Hamas's leadership structure following the deaths of Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in July 2024.
He is seen as holding a harder line than Khaled Meshaal, Hamas's overseas bureau chief and another leading candidate for the leadership position.
Israeli officials told Reuters that Al-Hayya was among Hamas's senior leaders targeted in an attack in Doha, Qatar—the city where he resided—in 2025.
Hamas is facing one of its greatest challenges since its founding in 1987, having suffered heavy damage from a prolonged war lasting over two and a half years triggered by their attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, while also facing international calls for disarmament.
Although fighting in Gaza has eased since a US-mediated ceasefire announced in October, Israel still controls more than 60% of the territory. Attacks continue, and the living conditions of Gaza's over 2 million residents remain critical.
Many Hamas leaders have been killed. Since Sinwar's death, Hamas has operated under a five-member supreme administrative council including Al-Hayya and Meshaal along with three other senior officials.
The process to elect Hamas's new leader began in January but was interrupted due to wars in Iran and Lebanon and ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Palestinian political analyst Reham Ouda said Al-Hayya’s victory signals that Hamas remains committed to armed struggle, rejects disarmament under any conditions, aims to rebuild its military strength, and maintain alliances with Iran and the so-called Axis of Resistance.
“This indicates that negotiations involving disarmament are likely to face great difficulties and obstacles,” Ouda told Reuters.
.cna