Hamas Political Bureau member Khalil al-Hayya in Ankara, Turkiye on January 26, 2026. [Ahmet Serdar Eser – Anadolu Agency]
Palestinian group Hamas on Monday named senior member Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024, Anadolu reports.
A brief statement by the group said Hayya had been “elected head of the movement’s political bureau,” succeeding Sinwar.
Hayya is one of Hamas’ most prominent figures. He took over leadership of the movement in Gaza in October 2024 after Israel killed Sinwar, and had served as Sinwar’s deputy prior to that.
His profile rose further following a series of Israeli assassinations targeting Hamas’ top leadership, including former political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri, making him widely viewed as the leading candidate to head the movement politically and organizationally.
