Current sectionGaza NewsAnalysis A senior official from one of the Palestinian factions keeping contact with Hamas told Haaretz that the election signals the continuation of an aggressive posture and opposition to any real compromise with IsraelShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJack KhouryJuly 20, 2026The appointment of Khalil al-Hayya as Hamas' political leader reflects the current power balance within the group, and above all, its desire to demonstrate continuity and competence.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:PalestiniansHamasKhaled MeshalGazaIsmail HaniyehIranOctober 7 Yahya SinwarCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesU.S.-Saudi DealIranGazaPalestinian AuthorityLindsey GrahamIsrael ElectionsHaQuizHaaretz PodcastU.S., Iran Exchange Fire for 12th Night in a Row; Houthis Target Saudi Tankers'Liars, Poison': Shin Bet Chief Shared His Anti-media Manifesto With Top AgentsTrump Wants a Lebanon Triumph. Israel Is Losing Its Seat at the TablePolice Let Over 1,000 Jews to Pray Across Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa on Tisha B'AvJudge Justifies Jewish Terror. Israel Must Act on West Bank Settler ViolenceRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient RomeBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World CupDemocrats Rejected U.S. Aid to Israel, and AIPAC Couldn't Stop Them'Choose Hope': Natalie Portman Backs Arab-Jewish Party Ahead of Israeli Election