Khalil al-Hayya, elected Hamas leader, vowed to continue the movement's current course and prioritised restoring a dignified life for people in Gaza. In his first address, he demanded an end to Israeli military operations, a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces while urging international pressure to implement the Trump-brokered peace plan. He did not address the plan's call for Hamas disarmament. A ceasefire is formally in place since October 2025, but strikes and clashes have continued.
Khalil al-Hayya, New Hamas Leader, Pledges Ceasefire Push and Gaza Reconstruction
FILE PHOTO - Khalil al-Hayya, then a member of the political bureau of the Hamas organization, waits to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. Al-Hayya now leads Hamas. (is associated with: «New Hamas leader vows to continue group's course») Ashraf Amra/APA Images via ZUMA Wire/dpa
Khalil al-Hayya, elected leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, pledged on Wednesday to maintain the organisation's current course and make restoring a dignified life for Gaza's residents his top priority.
In his first public address since his election on Monday, al-Hayya called for an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza, demanded a comprehensive ceasefire and urged the withdrawal of Israeli forces. He also appealed to the international community to press Israel to meet its obligations under the Middle East peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump.
Disarmament Question Left Unaddressed
The Trump-brokered plan envisages the disarmament of Hamas as a central condition for Gaza's reconstruction. Al-Hayya did not address that demand in his speech, leaving unresolved a major point of contention between Hamas and parties pushing for reconstruction and demilitarisation.
Security Situation and Territorial Control
Although a formal ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since October 2025, Israeli strikes and other violent incidents have continued to cause casualties. Estimates vary, but some sources suggest Israel controls between 65% and 70% of Palestinian territory; Middle East analysts say Hamas has consolidated its rule in the areas that remain under its authority.
Background
The 65-year-old al-Hayya was born in the Gaza Strip and has spent much of the past several years in Qatar. Israeli forces reportedly attempted to target Hamas leadership in Doha last year, and al-Hayya was named among the intended targets. Four of his sons have been killed in Israeli attacks, including one who died in the strike in Doha.
"My priority is to restore a dignified life for the people of the Gaza Strip," al-Hayya said in his address, reiterating calls for international pressure to halt hostilities and enable reconstruction.
The new leader's remarks set the tone for Hamas's immediate political priorities: securing an end to active military operations, seeking international backing for Gaza's recovery, and navigating the contentious issue of disarmament as reconstruction efforts are considered.
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