Security analyst Yair Goldblatt posted a photo of Khalil al-Hayya alongside the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, noting that one of the two has already been eliminated and implying al-Hayya will meet the same fate. Al-Hayya was elected head of Hamas's political bureau earlier today.
Earlier today, moments after Hamas's election of Khalil al-Hayya as political bureau chief was reported at 14:04 Jerusalem, security analyst Yair Goldblatt posted a photograph of al-Hayya alongside the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on his X account. The caption read: 'One in the picture has already been eliminated, and the other in the picture? His day is approaching.' The post, published shortly after the official confirmation at 14:47 Jerusalem, immediately reframed the newly-elected leader as a security target. The photo's exact date and context remain unspecified.
The election story evolved rapidly within the hour. At 14:04 Jerusalem, Hamas first announced al-Hayya's election, including a direct warning to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Eyal Zamir ('pay attention'). By 14:11, an official statement confirmed the election but omitted the warning. Israeli media outlets, including The Times of Israel, subsequently corroborated the announcement. The Zioneer's full bulletin, published at 14:47, consolidated these reports. The thread shows how the initial Hamas messaging was immediately met with an Israeli security analyst's threat, underscoring the polarized framing of al-Hayya's ascension.
Al-Hayya's election comes amid a prolonged leadership succession. As The Zioneer reported on Thu Jul 16, a second round of voting between al-Hayya and Khaled Mashal was underway. The Zioneer has also documented al-Hayya's pro-Iranian alignment (Tue Jul 7) and his direct meetings with senior Trump administration officials regarding Gaza disarmament (Mon Jun 29). Most recently, al-Hayya led a Hamas delegation to Khamenei's funeral in Tehran (Fri Jul 3), highlighting his ties to the late supreme leader. The analyst's photo appears to reference that connection.
What remains open: Goldblatt's threat is a personal commentary, not an official Israeli government statement. Al-Hayya's current location and security status have not been independently verified. The photograph's origin and date are unconfirmed, and it is unclear whether the analyst's assertion reflects broader operational planning or rhetorical posturing.
7 developments
- StrongHamas publishes photo of Muhammad Ra'fat Salama alongside former leader Yahya Sinwar
- StrongSaudi report: Hamas held internal elections in Istanbul, continuation expected in Turkey
- DevelopingHamas Set for Second Round of Leadership Vote Between Mashal and Al-Hayya
- StrongDaniel Amram: Hamas holds elections for Sinwar successor, security prisoners vote from prison
Source and signal
- Internal intake