Hamas appoints Khalil al-Hayya as new overall leader

Hamas has officially appointed Khalil al-Hayya as the new overall leader of the organization. He succeeds Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024 during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Al-Hayya previously served as an exiled leader of the group and acted as its chief negotiator in various international discussions. His leadership role follows the deaths of former top officials, including Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran in July 2024. Sources noted that al-Hayya was a target during an Israeli operation in Doha in 2025. This appointment marks a significant transition for the group after years of sustained military pressure. The announcement was confirmed by a statement released by the militant group on Monday.