Khalil al-Hayya: Priority is stopping the Gaza war; we appreciate Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey’s mediation

CAIRO – 22 July 2026: In his first address after being elected head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya affirmed the movement’s commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, chief among them self-determination and the establishment of a state. He firmly rejected any solutions or settlements that would compromise those rights.

Al-Hayya stated that Hamas’s top priority is stopping the war and ending the genocide in the Gaza Strip. He expressed appreciation to mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, commending their efforts in driving negotiations and working toward an end to the fighting.

He added that the second priority is restoring a dignified life for Gaza’s residents and resisting any attempts to displace Palestinians. Emphasizing that rebuilding the Strip is an inherent right of the Palestinian people, al-Hayya insisted that reconstruction must not be tied to political bargaining or concessions.

Al-Hayya stressed that Gaza remains an integral part of the Palestinian national entity, confirming that efforts will continue across multiple tracks involving Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, alongside ongoing work to secure the release of prisoners.

Turning to internal Palestinian affairs, al-Hayya called for national unity. He announced Hamas’s readiness to open a new chapter with various Palestinian factions through a joint national program focused on shared priorities, asserting that the current stage "cannot tolerate unilateralism or exclusion."

Opening his speech, al-Hayya noted that his election as head of the political bureau represents "a great trust and responsibility" given the grave circumstances surrounding the Palestinian cause. He pledged that the movement will remain true to its founding path, extending greetings to Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as to prisoners, the wounded, and the families of martyrs.

Directly addressing Gaza residents, al-Hayya vowed that Hamas would continue working to alleviate their suffering and restore daily life, pointing to the dire humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing war.

The address marks al-Hayya's first official speech as political bureau chief, laying out Hamas’s immediate priorities: halting the war, rebuilding Gaza, strengthening national unity, and maintaining active political engagement with international mediators.