**Hamas Set to Elect New Leader Soon, with Pro-Iran Candidate Hayya Likely to Win**

*Times of Israel | December 28, 2025 | Noam Lehmann*

Hamas is expected to elect a new leader within days or a few weeks, according to a report by the Saudi outlet Asharq on Saturday. The report cites sources close to the Palestinian terror group’s leadership. However, these sources also reportedly ruled out the possibility of holding general elections before the ongoing war comes to a complete end.

The two main candidates for the leadership position are former Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal and the current Gaza politburo chief Khalil al-Hayya. Their immediate policy differences primarily relate to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the sources explained.

Hayya, who is viewed as being close to Iran, supports the continuation of armed conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip until the war concludes and the Israeli army fully withdraws from the area. On the other hand, Mashaal, considered closer to Qatar, is advocating for negotiated compromises aimed at ending the occupation of Gaza.

Furthermore, Mashaal supports efforts to move Hamas away from Iran’s influence and closer to more moderate Arab states, the sources told Asharq.

*Read more at TimesofIsrael.com.*

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