Who will replace Yayha?
Hamas Prepares Internal Elections to Replace Yahya Sinwar
Hamas moves to replace Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar in secret elections, signaling a decisive crossroads between renewed terror war and a strategic shift as Israel vows to crush any revival of the group.
Hamas is gearing up for internal elections to appoint a successor to Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre who was eliminated by Israeli forces more than a year ago, according to sources cited in a Saudi newspaper report.
The terrorist organization's Shura Council, a 50-member body representing Gaza, the Judea/ Samarian and overseas factions, is expected to convene the vote within days or weeks, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Saturday.
The process, initially slated for early 2025, was delayed amid Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas's infrastructure. Leading candidates include Khalil al-Hayya, a hardline deputy to Sinwar and current head of Hamas's Gaza political bureau, and Khaled Meshaal, the group's former political chief now living in exile.
Sources close to Hamas predict al-Hayya's victory, citing his widespread support, including from Judea and Samarian leader Zaher Jabarin, and his commitment to continued armed confrontation with Israel until a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza. Meshaal, by contrast, favors a diplomatic approach, seeking compromises in negotiations, distancing from Iran and strengthening ties with moderate Arab states, potentially signaling a shift if he prevails.
Sinwar's death in October 2024, during an IDF operation in southern Gaza, followed the eliminations of other top Hamas figures, including political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and military commander Mohammed Deif in Gaza. A temporary Doha-based committee, including al-Hayya, managed affairs in the interim.
Israeli officials have vowed to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its capabilities, viewing the elections as a potential indicator of the group's resilience or internal fractures.