Hamas reportedly prepares to elect new political bureau chief after Yahya Sinwar's death
Top Hamas officials Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshal are the main contenders in the group's internal elections. Al-Hayya will likely continue armed confrontation with Israel, while Meshal favors pursuing an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza through political agreements, reduced reliance on Iran, and stronger ties with moderate Arab states
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Top Hamas officials Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshal are the main contenders in the group's internal elections. Al-Hayya will likely continue armed confrontation with Israel, while Meshal favors pursuing an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza through political agreements, reduced reliance on Iran, and stronger ties with moderate Arab states
Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants transport a white body bag believed to carry the remains of an Israeli hostage in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, earlier this month. Credit: AFP/STR
Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants transport a white body bag believed to carry the remains of an Israeli hostage in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, earlier this month. Credit: AFP/STR
06:36 PM • December 27 2025 IST
Hamas is preparing to hold elections for a new head of the group's political bureau, sources close to its leadership told Saudi-owned Asharq Al Awsat TV on Saturday.
According to the sources, the two leading candidates are Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political bureau in the Gaza Strip, and Khaled Meshal, the movement's former political bureau chief.
Al-Hayya is considered the frontrunner, with support both in Gaza and among senior Hamas figures in the West Bank, including political bureau member Zaher Jabareen, the sources said.
The elections are expected to take place in the coming days or weeks within Hamas' Shura Council, which functions as the organization's quasi-parliament and is responsible for selecting senior officials and members of the political bureau.
