Hamas Picks Khalil Al-Hayya as Executive Head in Vote Across 4 Arenas
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 20
Hamas Picks Khalil Al-Hayya as Executive Head in Vote Across 4 Arenas
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 20
Summary
Khalil Al-Hayya, a Gaza-born Hamas leader closely aligned with Iran, was chosen to head the group's executive body over a rival seen as more acceptable to Sunni Arab states.
Hamas said the secret ballot was conducted across Gaza, the West Bank, Israeli prisons and neighboring Arab countries hosting Palestinian refugees, underscoring the movement's dispersed decision-making structure.
The selection follows Al-Hayya's election a day earlier as Hamas's top political leader, ending a roughly 2-year vacuum after Yahya Sinwar's 2024 assassination.
His rise points to continuity in Hamas leadership and may strengthen the influence of the Iran-backed camp over figures with broader Sunni Arab support.