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
100 new alien worlds: Scientists find hidden haul in data from NASA exoplanet-hunting spacecraft - 2Doritos and Cheetos dial back the bright orange in new versions without artificial ingredients
- 3Vote in favor of Your #1 Home Exercise Gear: Execution and Comfort Matter
- 4Scientists discover black hole flare with the light of 10 trillion suns
- 5Top Music and Dance Celebration: Which One Gets You Going?
- Nigeria’s return to Windsor castle signals new era in UK economic partnership
- Palestinians reel under winter rains as Israel blocks Gaza shelter supplies
- Under pressure at home, Belgium's leader treads a tight rope with EU partners over funds for Ukraine
- Ryan Gosling responds to Deidre Hall's invitation to visit the 'Days of Our Lives' set: 'This is a very enthusiastic yes'
- Step by step instructions to Get a good deal on Your Rooftop Substitution Venture
- Hezbollah field commander killed in IDF strikes in Beirut
- Commonsense Ways to work on Your Funds with a Restricted Pay
- Norovirus infections increase significantly, with positive test rates reaching 14%
- Taylor Swift changes 2 song lyrics on 'Reputation' on the night of her Eras tour documentary premiere
