Khalil al-Hayya new Hamas chief

Hamas announced on Monday that it had elected Khalil al-Hayya, the group's lead negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel, as the new head of its political bureau.

"Hamas announces the election of brother mujahid Khalil al-Hayya as head of the movement's political bureau, succeeding the martyred leader Yahya al-Sinwar," Hamas said in a statement.

Sinwar, whom Israel accused of being one of the principal architects of the October 7, 2023, attacks, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza a year later. Since his death, Hamas has been led by a five-member leadership council headed by long-time senior official Mohammed Darwish.

Born in 1960, Hayya survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha last year, though one of his sons was killed in the strike. Hayya defeated former Hamas chief and veteran leader Khaled Meshaal in the leadership contest.

"Khalil al-Hayya was elected by an overwhelming majority," a senior Hamas official told AFP, adding that he was expected to formally assume the role next week. AFP