Sources to 'SadaNews': 'Hamas' Prepares to Announce New Head of Its Political Bureau

Exclusive to SadaNews - Sources within the 'Hamas' movement revealed to 'SadaNews' that the movement is preparing to announce in the coming days, possibly within this week, the name of the new head of its political bureau, who will assume his responsibilities for the movement both domestically and abroad, similar to the situation before the martyrdom of Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by the occupation forces in October 2024 during a surprise clash in Rafah, after being selected as the leader of the movement following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran at the end of July of the same year.

According to the sources, the elections to choose the President of 'Hamas' are in their final stage, having taken place at the level of the Shura Council in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and abroad. They indicated that the new president will hold his position only for a year until new elections for the political bureau are held at the end of this year or the beginning of the next year.

The sources clarified that the election of the head of the political bureau does not mean the abandonment of the leadership body that has been managing 'Hamas' so far, noting that it will remain as an advisory body to make decisions related to the movement, both domestically and abroad, and to shape its policies, with the term of this council concluding with the upcoming elections.

They pointed out that the final stage currently includes the election of a new head of the Shura Council, especially after the martyrdom of Osama Al-Mazini, the former president of the council, whose deputy, Mohammed Darwish, currently heads the leadership body. Another individual will be elected, and it is possible that Darwish will be re-elected, simultaneously with the election of the head of the political bureau.

It was noted that recently, vacancies related to the positions of Shura Council members, the political bureau, and other administrative bodies were filled, replacing those who were martyred, fell ill, or could not fulfill their duties for personal, security, or other reasons. This was also revealed to 'SadaNews.'

It was highlighted that most of these vacancies were in the Gaza Strip, with very limited occurrences in the West Bank following the martyrdom of leaders and the arrest of others, as well as abroad, particularly in Lebanon, after the martyrdom of some leadership members in the Shura Council.

During the temporary suspension of the election process, discussions took place regarding the complete postponement of the election of the head of the political bureau until general elections are held at the end of this year or the beginning of 2027, while maintaining the work of the leadership council. However, the majority supported holding the elections to establish internal stability within the movement and to send clear messages to the outside that the movement is cohesive and strong and still capable of continuing its responsibilities.

The competition for the presidency of the political bureau of 'Hamas' is limited to Khalid Mashal, head of the political bureau abroad, and Khalil Al-Hayya, head of the political bureau in Gaza, who are the most prominent candidates for the general office presidency.

If Mashal is elected as the head of the general political bureau, he will be replaced by his deputy in the political bureau abroad. Meanwhile, the alternative for Al-Hayya, should he be elected as head of the general bureau, will be Ali Al-Amoudi, who currently heads the political bureau in Gaza. He is a released prisoner and very close to Sinwar.

Criticism has been directed within 'Hamas' regarding the choice of Al-Amoudi, with some objections raised, particularly by certain administrative bodies from regions within the strip. This is also revealed by some sources to 'SadaNews.'

Mashal enjoys support from abroad and the West Bank, whereas Gaza and some abroad, as well as the leadership of the 'Al-Qassam Brigades,' support Al-Hayya for the presidency of the political bureau.

Internal elections for 'Hamas' were originally expected to be conducted at the end of 2024. However, due to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, the term of the leadership council has been extended.

The current elections to select a new head of the political bureau have excluded the 'Hamas' region in the prisons due to the lack of communication with the movement's leaders in the occupation prisons, which are currently completely disconnected, due to the policies of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Estimates obtained by 'SadaNews' indicate that prisons will remain excluded from any elections for 'Hamas' as well as for 'Islamic Jihad' in case internal elections are held, as a result of the current conditions inside the Israeli prisons.

These developments within the 'Hamas' movement come at a time when the movement is facing its most severe crisis since its establishment in 1987, following a series of assassinations targeting its most prominent leaders at both the political and military levels.