Hamas Elects Al-Hayya Leader Amid Gaza Violence

Hamas elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader on July 20, nearly a year after Yahya Sinwar was assassinated by Israeli forces. Al-Hayya won a close election with 35 out of 69 votes, narrowly defeating his main competitor, Khaled Meshaal.

The leadership position had been vacant since Sinwar's death in October 2024. In his first televised address as Hamas leader, al-Hayya pledged to rebuild Gaza and alleviate the suffering of its people, free political prisoners held in Israel, and unite Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem into a single 'free and proud Palestine'. He emphasized resistance against Israeli aggression and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Al-Hayya also expressed gratitude towards countries mediating to end the conflict, particularly Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.

Al-Hayya has been based with other Hamas leaders in Doha since 2019. Known within Hamas as the 'father of four martyrs,' al-Hayya has played a key role in negotiations for a ceasefire with Israel. He survived an Israeli airstrike in Qatar last year that killed five other Hamas leaders and one of his sons.

Recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants has escalated, with Israeli strikes in Gaza City on Saturday killing at least nine Palestinians, including three children. A strike on an apartment in the Nasr neighborhood resulted in five deaths, according to Mohammed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital. Israel's military stated it targeted Hamas infrastructure and located militants in the area.

The Israeli military is constructing a 23km-long earthen barrier separating the more than 50% of Gaza it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery analyzed by TimesLIVE. This barrier runs through Palestinian communities demolished by the military and appears to be hardening what was supposed to be a temporary division under the October ceasefire deal.

The 'yellow line,' which marks this boundary, has become increasingly contentious as Israel develops a security zone around it equipped with intelligence and technological assets. The Israeli military claims the barrier aims to prevent infiltration and protect its troops and nearby communities. However, Palestinians fear this division is becoming permanent, especially as construction continues to extend the barrier further south.

Al-Hayya has been involved in direct negotiations with US officials, including President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. He participated in indirect talks with Israel that culminated in a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025. The ceasefire is part of a broader plan proposed by President Trump to end the war and begin rebuilding efforts.

Israeli forces have launched extensive counterterrorism operations across the West Bank following violent clashes that left six people dead, including four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. Palestinian sources reported that the violence was sparked as Israeli settlers attacked the town of Tal near the illegal settlement of Havat Gilad. The Israeli military responded by dispatching troops to the area and announcing a major counterterror operation in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered raids on Palestinian villages suspected of hosting militants and announced plans to accelerate the legalization of farm outposts and establishment of new ones in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, with outposts being particularly contentious as they are often established without state approval.

Human rights groups have warned that the violence could spin out of control as Israeli settlers and soldiers amass near multiple Palestinian cities. The exact circumstances of Friday's incident remain unclear, but reports suggest a group of settlers entered Tal and were confronted by residents who feared an attack. Video footage shows armed men in civilian clothing pointing weapons at Palestinians before shots were fired.

The United Nations has documented numerous settler attacks across the West Bank this year, with 87 Palestinians killed since January, including 21 by Israeli settlers. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the latest killings and accused Israel of escalating violence in the region.