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People

Khalil Al-Hayya

What is khalil al-hayya?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Born 5 November 1960[1]
Birthplace Gaza City, Gaza[1]
Nationality Palestinian[1]
Organization Hamas[1]
Role Member of Hamas Politburo[1]
Role Hamas overall political leader (2026)[2]

Khalil al-Hayya is a Palestinian politician and senior Hamas leader who became Hamas's overall political leader in 2026 [2]. He has served as a member of Hamas's Politburo and as the group's chief negotiator in ceasefire and hostage talks [1].

Context

Khalil al-Hayya was born on 5 November 1960 in Gaza City [1]. He is a member of Hamas's Politburo and became the group's overall political leader in 2026 [2]. He served as deputy chairman of the Political Bureau from August to October 2024 [1] and has been deputy head of the regional politburo in Gaza since 2017 [3]. He was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 [4] and headed Hamas's 'Jerusalem Is Our Promise' list for the cancelled May 2021 elections [4]. Sources describe him as a senior negotiator in ceasefire and hostage talks [1].

Documented claims

  • Khalil al-Hayya was deputy chairman of Hamas's Political Bureau from August to October 2024. [1]
  • He has been deputy head of Hamas's regional politburo in Gaza since 2017. [3]
  • He was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006. [4]
  • He headed Hamas's 'Jerusalem Is Our Promise' list for the cancelled May 2021 legislative elections. [4]

Questions and answers

Did Khalil al-Hayya survive?

Yes, he is alive and became Hamas's overall political leader in 2026 [2].

Where is Khalil al-Hayya now?

His current location is not stated in the available sources.

Who is the head of Hamas?

Khalil al-Hayya became Hamas's overall political leader in 2026 [2].

Who is the new chief of Hamas?

Khalil al-Hayya is the new overall political leader of Hamas as of 2026 [2].

Sources

  1. Who is Hamas chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya? — reuters.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Khalil al-Hayya (Chairman) — ecfr.eu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. With Talks on Gaza Stalled, Hamas Appoints a New Leader — nytimes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas powerbroker rising after Sinwar — jns.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People