Who is Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' new leader?

• Khalil al-Hayya, 65, has been elected Hamas' new overall leader after decades in the movement's political leadership.
• A longtime negotiator with close ties to Hamas' military wing, he succeeds Yahya Sinwar during the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Khalil al-Hayya, 65, is one of Hamas' longest-serving leaders and has risen through the movement's ranks over several decades.

He was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 after Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Al-Hayya later became a member of the group's political leadership and served as deputy to former political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by ‘Israeli’ forces.

Senior negotiator with military backing

Al-Hayya is widely regarded as one of Hamas' most influential political figures while maintaining strong ties with the group's military wing. His relationship with the armed wing has been seen as a key factor in his role as Hamas' chief negotiator.

He led Hamas during negotiations that resulted in the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Personal losses

Al-Hayya has lost four sons in separate ‘Israeli’ attacks over the years. He has also survived at least two reported assassination attempts by ‘Israel’.

Seen as a hardliner

‘Israeli’ officials have frequently described Al-Hayya as a hardliner and as being closer to Iran than to Arab governments or Türkiye, although ‘Israel’ has not officially commented on his election as Hamas' new leader.

His appointment follows a months-long internal election process involving Hamas members in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, ‘Israeli’ prisons, and the Palestinian diaspora, culminating in his selection as the movement's overall leader.