Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official based in Qatar, has been named the overall leader of the Palestinian group.
Al-Hayya has become one of Hamas’ most influential figures in recent years, particularly after the deaths of several senior leaders during the conflict with Israel. According to Reuters, he has played a central role in the group’s political leadership and ceasefire negotiations.
Key Role in Ceasefire Talks
Throughout the Gaza war that began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Al-Hayya was a leading member of Hamas’ negotiating team in indirect talks with Israel.
He participated in negotiations that resulted in a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025, which temporarily halted large-scale fighting in Gaza, although Israeli operations against Hamas continued afterward.
He has also been involved in previous mediation efforts, including negotiations that helped end the 2014 Gaza conflict.
Senior Figure Abroad
Following the deaths of senior Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, Al-Hayya emerged as one of the group’s most prominent leaders outside Gaza.
He is a member of Hamas’ five-person leadership council based in Doha and has been widely regarded as the movement’s most influential overseas political figure.
According to Reuters, Al-Hayya survived an Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha in September last year.
Longtime Hamas Member
Originally from the Gaza Strip, Al-Hayya has been associated with Hamas since the movement was founded in 1987.
Before that, he was reportedly active in the Muslim Brotherhood during the early 1980s alongside other future Hamas leaders.
During his time in Gaza, he was detained several times by Israeli authorities.
Hamas Hands Over Another Israeli Hostage’s Body Under Gaza Ceasefire Agreement
Personal Losses
Reuters reported that Al-Hayya has suffered multiple personal losses during the conflict.
His family home in Gaza City was hit in an Israeli airstrike in 2007, killing several relatives. His son Hamza was later killed in another Israeli strike in 2008.
During the 2014 Gaza war, an Israeli airstrike on the home of his eldest son, Osama, killed Osama, his wife and three of their children.
Regional Diplomacy
In recent years, Al-Hayya has represented Hamas in regional diplomacy, particularly in relations with Arab and Muslim countries.
He has been regarded as maintaining close ties with Iran and accompanied Ismail Haniyeh during his visit to Tehran in July 2024.
In 2022, Al-Hayya also led a Hamas delegation to Damascus in an effort to restore ties with the Syrian government after relations had deteriorated during Syria’s civil war.
International Attention
As Hamas’ new overall leader, Al-Hayya is expected to remain a central figure in the group’s political decision-making and future negotiations.
His appointment comes amid continued conflict in Gaza and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving regional and international mediators to seek a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis.
