Hamas is reportedly holding an election for a new interim leader – with most of the senior leadership killed by Israeli strikes – as the U.S. and international mediators plan a future for Gaza without the militants.
A five man leadership committee was appointed in the wake of the death of former leader Yahya Sinwar, comprising Khalil Al-Hayya, Deputy Chairman of Political Bureau and leader in Gaza, Khaled Meshaal, head of the external leadership, Zaher Jabarin, Chairman of the Political Bureau in the West Bank, Mohamed Ismail Darwish, Chairman of the Shura Council, and Nizar Awadallah, a longtime leader in Gaza. Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of the external leadership, joined them more recently.
Khaled Meshaal has led the group twice in the past and remains the only former leader still alive.
