Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position
According to Asharq, Hayya is expected to win due to his popularity in the Gaza Strip and involvement in Hamas operations in the West Bank.
Hamas is planning to hold internal elections to choose its new political bureau head, Saudi Arabia-based outlet Asharq News reported on Saturday.
The election, which was originally set to be held in early 2025, was ordered by a leadership council that was established after the deaths of Hamas’s previous political bureau heads, Ismail Haniyeh and the mastermind behind Hamas’s October 7 massacre, Yahya Sinwar.
Asharq reported that the decision to hold the election, which will result in the dissolution of the leadership council, was forced by “the appearance of contradictory opinions among the members of the council” regarding Hamas’s future in Gaza and ties with regional allies.
The Hamas Shura Council, made up of approximately 50 terrorists representing the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and global Hamas operations, has begun preparations for the election, Asharq reported, adding that the vote will occur within the next few days or weeks.
Candidates disagree on Hamas strategy, Iran ties
The two leading candidates for the position are Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal.
Hamas terrorists in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip December 3, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)
According to Asharq, Hayya is expected to win due to his popularity in the Gaza Strip and involvement in Hamas operations in the West Bank.
Hayya’s platform is based on maintaining the current status quo of Hamas strategy, which includes “armed confrontation with Israel in the Gaza Strip, until the war ends, and the Israeli army completely withdraws from the Strip,” Asharq stated.
In contrast, Meshaal reportedly leans towards a path based on trying to distance Hamas from Iranian influence, strengthening ties to moderate Arab nations, and continued participation in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Gaza.
Both Hayya and Mashaal were two of three Hamas terror leaders targeted by an unsuccessful Israeli assassination attempt in Doha, Qatar in early September.
