The Hamas movement announced that it has completed the first round of elections to choose a new leader, though the final results have not yet been confirmed. The movement added that a second and final round of voting will be held to determine the movement’s next overall leader.
Several Arab media outlets reported that Khalil al-Hayya secured the position after receiving 65 percent of the votes. However, senior Hamas official Tahir al-Nono rejected those reports, saying the official results will be announced at a later stage.
Reports suggest that, in the first round of voting, Khalil al-Hayya was selected to head the Gaza Strip, Khaled Meshaal was assigned to oversee foreign affairs, and Zaher Jabarin was appointed as the head of the West Bank.
Despite these appointments, Khalil al-Hayya is still regarded as the leading candidate for the position of overall leader of the movement.