Hamas votes on leadership
Hamas is reportedly holding an election for a new interim leader – with most of the senior leadership killed by Israeli strikes – as the U.S. and international mediators plan a future for Gaza without the militants
COUNCIL OF LEADERS
(Likely contenders)
Khalil al-Hayya
Deputy Chairman of Political Bureau
Khaled Meshaal
Former leader
Zaher Jabarin
Chairman, Political Bureau West Bank 
Muhammad Ismail Darwish
Chairman, Shura Council
Nizar Awadallah
Member
Moussa Abu Marzouk
Member
HAMAS LEADERSHIP TIMELINE
Role
Dec 1987
Mar 2004
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Killed in Gaza City by Israeli helicopter gunship
Chairman, Shura Council
Mar 2004
Apr 2004
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi
Killed in car by IAF helicopter missile attack
Apr 2004
May 2017
Khaled Meshaal
Chairman, Political Bureau
May 2017
Jul 2024
Ismail Haniyeh
Killed by explosive device in Tehran guesthouse
Chairman, Political Bureau
Jul 2024
Aug 2024
Khaled Meshaal
Chairman, Political Bureau
Aug 2024
Oct 2024
Yahya Sinwar
Killed in Rafah firefight with IDF
Chairman, Political Bureau
Oct 2024-
Council of Leaders: Temporary leadership appointed on Sinwar’s recommendation
Source: BBC
Pictures: Wikimedia Commons, Getty Images
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