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Hamas names Khalil al-Hayya political bureau chief after nearly two years without a leader

7/27/2026

Nearly two years after Yahya Sinwar's death in October 2024, Hamas has filled its top political post.

Khalil al-Hayya, the group's longtime chief negotiator, won a closed leadership council vote that stretched over months.

Middle East Institute Senior Fellow Jaser AbuMousa told Fox News Digital the appointment signals organizational continuity, not a change in direction.

Al-Hayya's profile: negotiator and institutional survivor Al-Hayya has served as Hamas's principal negotiator and has survived multiple alleged Israeli assassination attempts.