Hezbollah issued a statement Monday evening congratulating Khalil al-Hayya on his election as chairman of Hamas's political bureau. The group said the election sends a clear message of continued resistance and that Hamas remains 'present, strong, and united' despite Israeli assassinations of its leaders.
Hezbollah issued a statement Monday evening congratulating Khalil al-Hayya on his election as Hamas's political bureau chief, the first official reaction from the Lebanese organization to the leadership change. The statement, which praised al-Hayya as a "Mujahid and fighter" and affirmed Hamas remains "united" despite the killing of former leader Yahya Sinwar, came after a series of related developments reported earlier Monday.
The Zioneer reported at 18:22 Jerusalem that al-Hayya had been elected in a nearly unanimous vote in Gaza, outpolling veteran leader Khaled Mashal. At the same time, Palestinian Authority deputy Hussein al-Sheikh called al-Hayya to congratulate him, underscoring ongoing PA-Hamas ties. At 19:23, Channel 14 military correspondent Noam Amir urged the elimination of al-Hayya, though this reflected personal opinion, not official policy. At 19:50, Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al-Mayadeen that the election sends a clear message of continued resistance. Hezbollah's statement, which echoed that framing, was the latest in this sequence.
As The Zioneer reported on July 7, the pro-Iranian faction within Hamas has been strengthening, and al-Hayya was a candidate seen as close to Iran. On July 16, Hamas was reported to be preparing for a second round of voting between Mashal and al-Hayya. The Hezbollah statement reiterates the group's support for the Palestinian resistance until "liberation of its land and holy sites," consistent with its maximalist posture.
No official Israeli response has been issued, and the broader implications of al-Hayya's leadership for the Israel-Hamas conflict remain unclear.
3 developments
- DevelopingHamas Official Hamdan: Election of al-Hayya Signals Continued Resistance
- DevelopingHamas Set for Second Round of Leadership Vote Between Mashal and Al-Hayya
- DevelopingChannel 14's Noam Amir calls for elimination of new Hamas leader al-Hayya
- DevelopingHezbollah chief Naim Qassem begins speech as tensions remain high
Source and signal
- Internal intake