Khalil al-Hayya named Hamas chief as analyst says change unlikely
Gazans react to the killing of Hamas terrorist leaders
Former political prisoners and activists say people are disillusioned with Hamas leadership after Israel killed top commanders; Many residents say civilians, not Hamas leaders, are paying the price for the war (Source: Jusoor News)
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An old hand very familiar to Israel has emerged as the new political leader of Hamas after a months-long secret insider election, a development that signals the terrorist group will not chart a new course, a regional expert said.
Khalil al-Hayya, a key Hamas negotiator who survived several alleged assassination attempts, will now head the group’s political bureau. However, Middle East Institute Senior Fellow Jaser AbuMousa said in a statement to Fox News Digital that his election does not mean a complete passing of the torch.
“Deliberately expect more of the same,” AbuMousa said. “Al-Hayya is Hamas’ chief negotiator and its last institutional surviving member, so you will see continued engagement at the negotiating table, ceasefire talks, prisoner exchanges, but don’t take that as moderation.”
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Al-Hayya, Hamas’ long-time chief negotiator on the indirect ceasefire and hostage talks with Israel, will now lead its political bureau. (Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)
AbuMousa wrote, “Al-Hayya’s victory is best understood as an act of corporate self-preservation: a battered organization reaching out to the most familiar hand available.” he warned. “He is an experienced operator, and his rise shows that Hamas is prioritizing organizational integrity, armed continuity, and preserving its relations with Iran over a genuine political reassessment after the destruction of Gaza and the casualties since October 7, 2023.”
Many members of al-Hayya’s family were killed in Israeli operations, including his four sons and other relatives. to reports.
In September 2025, it was reported that Israel tried to kill Al Hayya in Qatar and attacked a building where a Hamas delegation was staying.
“This is the paradox of the Hamas leadership at the moment: the top post is essentially a death sentence, which is part of the reason the chair remained vacant for almost two years after Sinwar’s killing,” the expert said.
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Analysts say Al-Hayya’s rise signals that Hamas is prioritizing organizational integrity, armed continuity and preserving its relations with Iran after the destruction of Gaza and losses since October 7, 2023. (Iranian Leader Press Office / Statement/Anatolia, via Getty Images)
“Al-Hayya himself survived the Israeli attack in Doha last September. For an ordinary manager, this would have been disqualifying,” he said. “In Hamas, it’s the opposite; surviving an assassination is a credential.”
“Expect him to lead as his predecessors did: rarely moving in public, moving between Doha and intermediary capitals, communicating through statements and negotiators rather than appearances, decentralizing real command so that a single attack cannot decapitate the movement,” AbuMousa continued. “An organization that rewards those who suffer the most, rather than those who lead best, has no real mechanism to turn things around after a disaster like this. That’s what makes everyone nervous.”
“Al-Hayya lost his four sons; this is a real and profound loss for any father. But two things can be true at the same time,” he said. “His personal grief is real, and within Hamas this sacrifice also serves as political capital that elevates him above criticism.”
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Al-Hayya replaced Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in late 2024. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Al-Hayya replaced Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024, his rise to power followed a months-long secret election.
“After the near-complete destruction of Gaza and the staggering losses since October 7, there was a moment for Hamas to re-evaluate and instead chose continuity,” AbuMousa said. he said. “He elevated a loyal survivor loyal to Iran and the military wing rather than someone who suggested a different path.”
According to Abu Mousa, “The real story is that Hamas decided that the safest option was to remain exactly as it was: armed, aligned with Tehran, and unwilling to reckon with where its own decisions were taking Gaza.”
He also warned that the leadership vote should not be seen as an instruction from Gazans.
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“This was a closed vote by the leadership council, not an election by the nearly 2 million Gazans whose lives Hamas claims to represent, who have not voted since 2006. Many blame Hamas for subjecting them to this disaster,” he said.
“And watch for the possible governance model: not a return to openly governing Gaza, but a Hezbollah-style arrangement in which Hamas assumes apparent responsibility while vetoing its weapons, security structures and any political agreement,” he added.
