Who is Hamas' new leader Khalil Al-Hayya? Survived attack, has good ties with Iran

Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, was named overall leader of the Palestinian militant group on July 20, 2026.

Hayya survived an Israeli raid on Qatar in September 2025 and is seen as having good ties with Iran.

He was at the heart of ceasefire talks throughout the Gaza war that began with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hayya took part in indirect talks with Israel that led to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October 2025.

He is part of a five-man leadership council in Qatar and has been the group's most influential figure abroad since Ismail Haniyeh was killed in 2024.