Sources to 'SadaNews': Hamas elects a replacement for Hayya in Gaza if he is elected as head of the general political bureau

Exclusive: 'SadaNews' learned from sources in Hamas in Gaza that the movement has completed the election of its candidate for the presidency of the general political bureau, which resumed a few days ago after being halted twice in two months due to the political and security situation in the region.

The sources said that the elections took place in Gaza, and Hayya was elected by a large majority to be the head of the general political bureau, noting that elections are supposed to have started in the West Bank, as well as abroad.

They explained that the competition in the elections is limited to Khalil Hayya and Khaled Mashal to choose a president for the political bureau, indicating that if one of them wins, a replacement will be appointed for each in the leadership of their region (Hayya for Gaza, and Mashal for abroad).

The sources revealed to 'SadaNews' that Ali Al-Amoudi was elected as the head of the leadership of the political bureau in Gaza, but he will not lead the bureau in the sector unless Hayya becomes the head of the general bureau.

The sources pointed out that the ongoing elections are exclusively for the head of the general political bureau who will manage the affairs within the movement until the end of this year or the beginning of next year, which will witness comprehensive and general elections for the entire political bureau, the Shura Council, and the regions.

Estimates suggest that Hayya has significant support to lead the political bureau, especially from Gaza, which has indeed become the first choice in waiting for the rest of the regions. Meanwhile, some indicators also confirm that there is greater support from the West Bank and abroad for Mashal, but this does not mean that either of them has secured the position in their favor.

The results of the elections are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The movement has lived in difficult circumstances during the Israeli war on Gaza following the attack of October 7, 2023.

Israel assassinated the head of Hamas's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, at the end of July 2024 while he was in Tehran, prompting the movement to choose Yahya Sinwar as the head of the general bureau, who was martyred in October of the same year during unexpected clashes in Rafah.

After the martyrdom of Haniyeh and Sinwar, the movement remained without a head of the political bureau, which prompted it to form a leadership council chaired by Muhammad Darwish, who chaired the Shura Council. This council is now leading Hamas with the participation of the heads of the regions from Gaza, the West Bank, and abroad, alongside the Secretary of the movement.