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
Germany's first Omani LNG shipments arrive despite Middle East disruptions - 2The most effective method to Consummate the Specialty of Handshaking in Business and Group environments
- 3The Red Sea strategy: What does Israel stand to gain from recognizing Somaliland?
- 4Toyota Reports 2.3% Sales Drop as China Weakness Deepens
- 5Banks for High Fixed Store Rates: Augment Your Investment funds
- The Way to Monetary Freedom: A Viable Aide
- Artemis II crew take new photo of far side of the moon
- Nations for Rock Climbing
- Foreign military officials can become Israel's ambassadors, senior IDF commander tells 'Post'
- The most effective method to Decisively Plan Your Nursing Profession for the Best Compensation Results
- 7 Straightforward Moves toward Move Information from Your Old Cell phone to Your New One: A Thorough Aide
- The 15 Most Rousing TED Chats on Self-awareness
- Looking for under-the-radar adventures? Try Norway's Vesterålen
- Over 60 local leaders push Netanyahu to halt haredi draft bill, warn of social rift
