According to Asharq, Hayya is expected to win due to his popularity in the Gaza Strip and involvement in Hamas operations in the West Bank.
Hamas is planning to hold internal elections to choose its new political bureau head, the Saudi Arabia-based channel Asharq News reported on Saturday.
The election, which was originally set to be held earlier this year, was ordered by a leadership council that was established after the deaths of Hamas’s previous political bureau chiefs Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, who was the mastermind behind Hamas’s October 7 massacre.
Asharq News reported that the decision to hold the election, which will result in the dissolution of the transitional leadership council, was forced by “the appearance of contradictory opinions among the members of the council” regarding Hamas’s future in Gaza and ties with regional allies.
Hamas’s Shura Council, made up of approximately 50 individuals representing the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and global Hamas operations, has begun preparations for the election, the Saudi news channel said, adding that the vote will occur within the next few days or weeks.
Candidates disagree on Hamas strategy, Iran ties
The two candidates up for the position are Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal. According to Asharq, Hayya is expected to win due to his popularity in the Gaza Strip and involvement in Hamas operations in the West Bank.
Hayya’s platform is based on maintaining the current status quo of Hamas’s strategy, which includes “armed confrontation with Israel in the Gaza Strip until the war ends and the Israeli army completely withdraws,” the news agency said.
In contrast, Mashaal is reportedly leaning toward a path based on trying to distance Hamas from Iranian influence, strengthening ties with more moderate Arab nations, and continuing to participate in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Gaza.
Hayya and Mashaal were two of the three Hamas terror leaders targeted by an unsuccessful Israeli assassination attempt in Doha in early September.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
2 of Earth's rarest lightning phenomena captured simultaneously in once-in-a-lifetime photo - 2Met Gala 2026 will celebrate fashion as an 'embodied art form': A guide to the theme, dress code, cochairs and hosting committee of the starry event
- 3Experience Is standing by: 10 Pleasant Setting up camp Areas to
- 4Palestinian infant freezes to death in Gaza as Israel keeps blocking aid
- 5German petrol stations hike prices as once-a-day rule takes effect
- Releasing Learning Experiences: A Survey of the \Learning Made Fun\ Instructive Application
- Who is Artemis? Meet the Greek goddess who inspired NASA's return to the moon
- Gartex Texprocess India to showcase innovations across textile ecosystem
- Innovative Versatility: Examples of overcoming adversity from Entrepreneurs
- UN rights chief: Israel's new Gaza aid agency rules 'outrageous'
- This St Nick Truly Can Advise How To Drink And Hack Your Headache
- Middle East hotels hit pandemic-era lows amid Iran war
- What's the new 'Knives Out' mystery about? Everything to know about 'Wake Up Dead Man,' including who's in the cast and what the reviews say.
- Figure out How to Modify Your Pre-assembled Home for Greatest Solace and Stylish Allure
