Khalil Al-Hayya elected head of Hamas political bureau

CAIRO – 20 July 2026: The Hamas movement announced on Monday the election of Khalil Al-Hayya as the head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar.

Sinwar was appointed head of the political bureau in August 2024, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in an Israeli raid on his residence in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

However, Sinwar was killed just three months later, in October 2024. "We mourn the great leader, the martyred brother, Yahya Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim," Al-Hayya said in a recorded video statement at the time.

Following Sinwar's death, the position of Hamas leader remained vacant for nearly two years. Al-Hayya's election to the post comes 21 months after Sinwar's death.