Hamas is set to hold a decisive run-off election next week to choose its new political bureau chief, completing a complex transition process initiated after Israel’s assassinations of top figures Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar.

According to a Hamas source, the internal ballot has narrowed to a close contest between former political leader Khaled Meshaal and former deputy Khalil al-Hayya. The winner will replace the temporary council formed after Sinwar’s death in October 2024 and lead until 2027.

Under Hamas rules, a candidate needs an absolute majority (50%+1) in the Shura Council. Since neither achieved this in initial rounds, a run-off was scheduled. If al-Hayya loses, he is expected to become deputy chief as Gaza representative.

Due to the war, Hamas has abandoned its usual grassroots voting process, allowing only a narrow group to vote. Security challenges and vacancies in the Shura Council delayed the election. However, sources insist the new leader’s identity will be publicly announced once votes are tallied.

Palestinian analyst Abdullah Aqrabawi noted that Hamas’s internal dynamics are no longer a closed-door affair. Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has become a central regional actor shaping Middle East geopolitics, making its leadership transition a matter of intense international scrutiny.

The election outcome will determine management of ceasefire negotiations. Al-Hayya has been deeply involved as chief negotiator, while Meshaal has remained outside these portfolios. If Meshaal wins, the negotiation framework will continue as is. The new leader will face daunting tasks of post-war reconstruction and relations with other Palestinian factions like Fatah.

Source: www.aljazeera.com