Hamas Set to Elect New Leader After Sinwar Martyred by Israel, marking a critical moment in Gaza Strip politics. The group is preparing to fill the leadership vacuum left by Yahya Sinwar’s martyrdom in 2024. Hamas aims to stabilize its ranks while facing international pressure to disarm.
The election will be conducted by the Shoura Council, a 50-member body including Hamas members from Gaza, the West Bank, and exile. Khalil Al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal are frontrunners for the top position. Both have played vital roles in Hamas’ leadership, and their election could shape the group’s strategy after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Hamas faces significant challenges. Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy leader, was also martyred in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. The group continues to resist calls for disarmament despite U.S.-brokered peace efforts. Palestinian factions, Sunni Muslim countries, and Iran closely watch Hamas’ leadership decisions, reflecting ongoing tensions in Israel-Palestine relations.
Khalil Al‑Hayya keeps strong ties with Iran, while Khaled Meshaal worked with Sunni allies and distanced Hamas from Bashar al‑Assad. Their election may influence Hamas’s approach toward a future Palestinian state and relations with the Fatah movement.
The leadership vote is expected to conclude soon. Analysts suggest the new leader will guide Hamas through internal rivalries, Gaza ceasefire enforcement, and continued engagement with the Board of Peace. The group’s decisions will impact Gaza’s security, humanitarian conditions, and broader Israel-Palestine conflict dynamics.
Hamas’ next leader will shape both immediate strategies and long-term goals for the organization. The world is watching closely as the group navigates succession after Sinwar’s martyrdom.
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Hamas set to elect new leader after Sinwar martyred by Israel, with Khalil Al-Hayya and Meshaal shaping Gaza politics and strategy.
