Khalil al-Hayya is the overall leader of Hamas, elected chairman of its political bureau on 20 July 2026 following a close run-off vote. Born in Gaza in 1960, he joined the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1980s and became a founding member of Hamas in 1987. Holding a PhD in Islamic Studies, he previously served as deputy leader in Gaza. Based in Qatar, al-Hayya served as the movement’s chief negotiator during the Gaza war. In September 2025, he survived a targeted Israeli airstrike in Doha, which claimed the life of his son. Following the tragedy, he played a central role in securing the October 2025 ceasefire, heavily consolidating his administrative authority. Leading a profound transition, he steered Hamas toward relinquishing civilian administration over Gaza to a technocratic authority while maintaining a prominent role in active regional security negotiations with Egyptian and Turkish officials.