Jump to content

Khalil al-Hayya: Difference between revisions

Page extended-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Source is unreliable.
Not a stub.
 
(39 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{pp-protect|small=yes}}
{{Short description|Palestinian politician}}
{{Short description|Palestinian politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Khalil al-Hayya
| name = Khalil al-Hayya
| image =
| image = Khalil al-Hayya 2022 (cropped).jpg
| caption =
| caption = Al-Hayya in 2022
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|11|5|df=y}}<ref>[https://www.all4palestine.org/ModelDetails.aspx?gid=14&mid=108576&lang=en Khalil al-Hayya]</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|11|5|df=y}}<ref>[https://www.all4palestine.org/ModelDetails.aspx?gid=14&mid=108576&lang=en Khalil al-Hayya]</ref>
| birth_place = [[Gaza City|Gaza]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]]
| birth_place = [[Gaza City]], [[Administration of the Gaza Strip by Egypt|Egyptian Gaza Strip]]
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| office = [[List of leaders of Hamas|Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau]]
| office = [[Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau]]
| term_start = 6 August 2024
| term_start = 16 October 2024
| term_end =
| term_end =
| alongside = [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Abu Omar Hassan|Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed Hamas official
⚫
| predecessor = [[Saleh al-Arouri]]
| 1blankname = Chairman
| status = Acting
| 1namedata = [[Yahya Sinwar]]
| predecessor = [[Yahya Sinwar]]
| office1 = Member of the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]]
| successor = TBA
| office1 = [[List of leaders of Hamas|Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau]]
⚫
| term_start1 = 25 January 2006
| term_end1 =
| term_start1 = 6 August 2024
| predecessor1 =
| term_end1 = 16 October 2024
| successor1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Saleh al-Arouri]]
| constituency1 = [[Gaza City]]
| successor1 = TBA
| 1blankname1 = Chairman
⚫
| 1namedata1 = [[Yahya Sinwar]]
⚫
| office2 = Member of the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]]
⚫
| term_start2 = 25 January 2006
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| constituency2 = [[Gaza City]]
| nationality = [[Palestinians|Palestinian]]
| nationality = [[Palestinians|Palestinian]]
| party = [[Hamas]]
| party = [[Hamas]]
| spouse =
| spouse =
| children =
| children =
| alma_mater = [[Islamic University in Gaza]]<br>[[University in Jordan]]
| alma_mater = [[Islamic University of Gaza]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) <br> [[University of Jordan]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]]) <br> [[University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
| image_size =
| native_name_lang = ar
| native_name = {{nobold|خليل الحية}}
| nickname = Abu Osama (''[[Kunya (Arabic)|kunya]]'')
}}
}}
'''Khalil al-Hayya''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: خليل الحية) is a Palestinian politician who has served as the [[List of leaders of Hamas|deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau]] since August 2024, succeeding [[Saleh al-Arouri]]. He also was [[Current members of Palestinian Legislative Council|elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council]] since January 2006 as a representative of [[Gaza City]]. He resided in the neighborhood of [[Shuja'iyya]].
'''Khalil al-Hayya''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: خليل الحية; born 5 November 1960) is a Palestinian politician who has served as the [[List of leaders of Hamas|deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau]] since August 2024, succeeding deceased [[Saleh al-Arouri]]. He also serving as one of the acting [[Shared leadership|quinquevirate leadership of Hamas]], alongside with [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Abu Omar Hassan|Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed Hamas official after [[Yahya Sinwar]] was [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killed by the IDF in October 2024]]. He also was [[Current members of Palestinian Legislative Council|elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council]] since January 2006 as a representative of [[Gaza City]].


==Early life and education==
⚫
Seven or eight of his relatives, including two of his brothers, were killed by Israeli strikes on his home in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=al-Mughrabi |first=Nidal |date=20 May 2007 |title=Israel kills 9; 8 in raid on Hamas official's home |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/20/idUSL20271081._CH_.2400 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727215758/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/20/idUSL20271081._CH_.2400 |archive-date=27 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=B'Tselem |date=24 May 2007 |title=B'Tselem calls for criminal investigation into Gaza bombing |url=http://electronicintifada.net/content/btselem-calls-criminal-investigation-gaza-bombing/3244 |publisher=Electronic Intifada}}</ref> One of his sons was killed by an Israeli airstrike in 2008 while leading [[Al-Qassam Brigades|a rocket brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-28-3462899240_x.htm|title=Israel kills 20 Palestinians in Gaza|date=28 February 2008|first=Ibrahim|last=Barzak|author2=Karin Laub|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3512689,00.html|title=Hamas leader 'thanks God' for son's death|work=Ynet|date=28 February 2008}}</ref> Another son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were killed by an airstrike on his home in July 2014 during the [[2014 Gaza War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/gaza-thousands-flee-israeli-bombardment|title='Death and horror' in Gaza as thousands flee Israeli bombardment: Fiercest fighting yet as Israel widens ground offensive and faces accusations of war crimes over rising number of civilian deaths|first=Peter|last=Beaumont|author2=Harriet Sherwood|publisher=Guardian (UK)|date=20 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/IDF-House-of-Hamas-official-targeted-in-overnight-Gaza-strikes-363127|title=IDF: House of Hamas official targeted in overnight Gaza strikes|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=17 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imemc.org/article/68542|title=Nine More Palestinians Killed, Medics Targeted Again|date=20 July 2014|first=Saed|last=Bannoura|publisher=IMEMC News}}</ref>
Al-Hayya received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] (BA) from [[Islamic University of Gaza]], [[Master of Arts]] (MA) in [[Hadith]] from [[University of Jordan]] and [[Doctor of Philosophy]] (PhD) from [[University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences]]. He joined Hamas after finished his bachelor's degree during the [[First Intifada]]. He worked part time as a teacher at that time.


== Political career ==
⚫
Khalil al-Hayya has called on the [[United Nations]] to [[Palestine 194|recognize Palestine]] within its [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|pre-1948 borders]].<ref name="hamas">{{Cite news|author=Agence-France Presse|title=Hamas rejects U.N. bid, saying it compromises 'historical Palestine'|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/18/167474.html|date=18 September 2011|newspaper=Al Arabiya|accessdate=2014-07-20}}</ref>
Al-Hayya has been a [[Hamas]] official for decades.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yoon |first=John |date=July 31, 2024 |title=After Haniyeh’s Death, Who Are Hamas’s Most Prominent Leaders? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/31/world/middleeast/hamas-leaders-haniyeh-sinwar-meshal.html |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He was regarded a close associate of former Hamas leader [[Yahya Sinwar]],<ref name=":02" /> and has been described as "one of the few people whom Sinwar felt he could rely on."<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Who’s next? Speculation swirls on who will take over Hamas from slain Sinwar |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/whos-next-speculation-whirls-on-who-will-take-over-hamas-from-slain-sinwar/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

Following the [[2006 Palestinian legislative election]], al-Hayya condemned [[President of the Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority President]] [[Mahmoud Abbas]] during a rally in [[Gaza City]], accusing him of launching a "war against God and Hamas" amid escalating violence between their factions. He declared that Hamas would not accept a [[referendum]] or new elections, asserting their parliamentary mandate following their electoral victory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Myre |first=Greg |date=December 16, 2006 |title=Palestinian Factional Strife Escalates Into Gunfights Between Fatah and Hamas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/16/world/middleeast/16mideast.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

In November 2019, al-Hayya and [[Rouhi Mushtaha]] led a delegation that departed from the Gaza Strip to visit several countries, including Turkey and Lebanon. Prior to this trip, the delegation reportedly met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abu Toameh |first=Khaled |date=2019-12-01 |title=Egypt to allow Hamas leader to leave Gaza |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/egypt-allows-hamas-leader-to-leave-gaza-609551 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

Al-Hayya has also headed reconciliation talks with Hamas’s rival [[Fatah]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2024 |title=Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said leading delegation to Cairo |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/senior-hamas-official-khalil-al-hayya-said-leading-delegation-to-cairo/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> In January 2022, he visited [[Algeria]] alongside [[Husam Badran]] for intra-Palestinian reconciliation discussions between Hamas and Fatah, following an invitation from Algerian President [[Abdelmadjid Tebboune|Abdelmajid Tebboune]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abu Toameh |first=Khaled |date=2022-01-18 |title=PA minister panned for blaming Hamas for floods |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-693860 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2022, al-Hayya announced that he and representatives from other Palestinian factions held a “historic” meeting with Syrian President [[Bashar al-Assad]] in [[Damascus]], marking the first such meeting in a decade. Al-Hayya stated that they agreed to end the rift between Hamas and [[Syria]], which began when Hamas refused to support the Assad regime during the [[Syrian civil war]]. He expressed regret for any “mistaken action” taken against Syria in the past and emphasized the importance of the meeting in relaunching joint Palestinian-Syrian efforts. Al-Hayya praised Syria for its longstanding support of the Palestinian cause and noted that Assad reaffirmed Syria's commitment to backing the Palestinian “resistance.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abu Toameh |first=Khaled |date=2022-10-19 |title=Hamas leader holds ‘warm’ meeting with Syria’s Assad |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-720043 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

Al-Hayya represented Hamas during indirect negotiatians with Israel for a hostage and ceasefire deal during the [[Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=As Sinwar takes charge, Qatar-based Hamas official to keep leading negotiations |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-sinwar-takes-charge-qatar-based-hamas-official-to-keep-leading-negotiations/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> Following the [[killing of Yahya Sinwar]] in October 2024, al-Hayya was considered a strong candidate to succeed him as the head of Hamas’s political office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abualouf |first=Rushdi |date=October 20, 2024 |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[BBC]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Ben |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Sinwar’s Death Could Shake but Not Topple Hamas, Experts Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/world/middleeast/yahya-sinwar-death-hamas.html |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Secret meeting minutes reviewed by ''[[The New York Times]]'' revealed that in July 2023, al-Hayya discussed plans of the [[7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel]] with senior Iranian commander Mohammed Said Izadi of Iran’s [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps]], who was based in [[Lebanon]] and helped oversee Tehran’s relations with Palestinian armed groups. The minutes indicated that al-Hayya informed Izadi that Hamas required assistance in targeting sensitive sites during the initial phase of the attack.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2024 |title=Secret Documents Show Hamas Tried to Persuade Iran to Join Its Oct. 7 Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/12/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-war.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

== Views ==
He has advocated for maintaining [[Iranian support for Hamas|strong relations with Iran]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |title=Yahya Sinwar will hold sway over Hamas from beyond the grave |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/10/19/yahya-sinwar-will-hold-sway-over-hamas-from-beyond-the-grave |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In 2009, al-Hayya addressed coercive measures, such as mandates for female lawyers to wear [[Hijab|hijabs]] and prohibitions on public touching, stating, "Neither the government nor Hamas has come out with any decision regarding such orders. We are an Islamic resistance movement that will never oblige anyone against his or her will. Advice is the best tactic." His remarks came amid tensions with extremist factions advocating for stricter religious enforcement in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news |last=El-Khodary |first=Taghreed |last2=Bronner |first2=Ethan |date=September 5, 2009 |title=Hamas Fights Over Gaza’s Islamist Identity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/world/middleeast/06gaza.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

⚫
In 2011, al-Hayya called on the [[United Nations]] to [[Palestine 194|recognize Palestine]] within its [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|pre-1948 borders]].<ref name="hamas">{{Cite news|author=Agence-France Presse|title=Hamas rejects U.N. bid, saying it compromises 'historical Palestine'|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/18/167474.html|date=18 September 2011|newspaper=Al Arabiya|accessdate=2014-07-20}}</ref>

al-Hayya said Hamas [[7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel|attacked Israel on October 7th]] since it was necessary to "change the entire equation and not just have a clash," he also said: “We succeeded in putting the Palestinian issue back on the table, and now no one in the region is experiencing calm."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Ben |last2=Abi-Habib |first2=Maria |date=2023-11-08 |title=Behind Hamas’s Bloody Gambit to Create a ‘Permanent’ State of War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-gaza-war.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Speaking to the [[New York Times]], he said that Hamas's goal is not "to run Gaza and bring it water and electricity" but to renew attention on the Palestinian cause,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=Hamas members tell NYT they hope for ‘permanent’ war, do not care about running Gaza |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-members-tell-nyt-they-hope-for-permanent-war-do-not-care-about-running-gaza/ |website=Times of Israel}}</ref> and he said Hamas began October 7 to tell people that the Palestinian cause would not die.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamas says purpose of massacres was a ‘permanent’ state of war on Israel’s borders |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-says-it-staged-massacres-to-cause-permanent-state-of-war-on-israels-borders/}}</ref>

In November 2021, al-Hayya stated in an interview with [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is “no longer accepted” by the Palestinian people, claiming it has become a burden on the Palestinian cause. He called for a redefinition of the PA’s role based on a comprehensive national vision and emphasized the need for a revamped leadership "on the basis of a political program representing all the Palestinians and a mechanism for confronting the occupation." He condemned the security coordination between PA forces and Israel in the West Bank and blamed Abbas for the rift between the West Bank and Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abu Toameh |first=Khaled |date=2021-11-11 |title=What are the chances for a Palestinian unity government? - analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/what-are-the-chances-for-a-palestinian-unity-government-analysis-684736 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2024, al-Hayya said that Hamas would agree to a [[Calls for a ceasefire during the Israel–Hamas war|cease-fire with Israel]], lay down its arms and transform into a political party if an [[State of Palestine|independent Palestinian state]] is established on the [[Green Line (Israel)|pre-1967 borders]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Hamas official says group would agree to truce if independent Palestinian state established along pre-1967 borders |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/top-hamas-official-says-group-would-agree-to-truce-if-independent-palestinian-state-established-along-pre-1967-borders |work=PBS News |date=25 April 2024}}</ref> He also clarified that the proposed Palestinian state would require "the return of Palestinian refugees" to present-day Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Hamas official who sought endless war after Oct. 7 says it could put down arms for 2-state deal |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-official-who-sought-endless-war-after-oct-7-says-it-could-put-down-arms-for-2-state-deal/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

In October 2024, after the [[killing of Yahya Sinwar]], al-Hayya said that "Hamas is moving forward until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=Live updates: Hamas issues defiant message in first statement after Sinwar's death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/live-updates-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar-possibly-killed-gaza-rcna175922 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
⚫
Seven or eight of al-Hayya's relatives, including two of his brothers, were killed by Israeli strikes on his home in 2007,<ref>{{cite news |last=al-Mughrabi |first=Nidal |date=20 May 2007 |title=Israel kills 9; 8 in raid on Hamas official's home |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/20/idUSL20271081._CH_.2400 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727215758/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/20/idUSL20271081._CH_.2400 |archive-date=27 July 2014 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=B'Tselem |date=24 May 2007 |title=B'Tselem calls for criminal investigation into Gaza bombing |url=http://electronicintifada.net/content/btselem-calls-criminal-investigation-gaza-bombing/3244 |publisher=Electronic Intifada}}</ref> in a failed assassination attempt on him.<ref name=":0" /> One of his sons was killed by an Israeli airstrike in 2008 while leading [[Al-Qassam Brigades|a rocket brigade]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Barzak |first=Ibrahim |author2=Karin Laub |date=28 February 2008 |title=Israel kills 20 Palestinians in Gaza |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-28-3462899240_x.htm |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 February 2008 |title=Hamas leader 'thanks God' for son's death |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3512689,00.html |work=Ynet}}</ref> Another son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were killed by an airstrike on his home in July 2014 during the [[2014 Gaza War]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |author2=Harriet Sherwood |date=20 July 2014 |title='Death and horror' in Gaza as thousands flee Israeli bombardment: Fiercest fighting yet as Israel widens ground offensive and faces accusations of war crimes over rising number of civilian deaths |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/gaza-thousands-flee-israeli-bombardment |publisher=Guardian (UK)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 July 2014 |title=IDF: House of Hamas official targeted in overnight Gaza strikes |url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/IDF-House-of-Hamas-official-targeted-in-overnight-Gaza-strikes-363127 |newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bannoura |first=Saed |date=20 July 2014 |title=Nine More Palestinians Killed, Medics Targeted Again |url=http://www.imemc.org/article/68542 |publisher=IMEMC News}}</ref>

During a news conference amid widespread protests over severe electricity shortages, al-Hayya stated "I suffer like you. I don’t have electricity in my home" and attributed delays in upgrading the electricity supply lines to the [[Palestinian Authority]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Waheidi |first=Majd |date=January 12, 2017 |title=With Electricity in Short Supply, 10,000 Protest in Gaza, Defying Hamas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/world/middleeast/gaza-strip-hamas-protests.html |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

He resided in the neighborhood of [[Shuja'iyya]].


==See also==
==See also==
Line 43: Line 92:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hayya, Khalil}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hayya, Khalil}}
⚫
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Hamas members]]
[[Category:Hamas members]]
⚫
[[Category:Members of the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Gaza City]]
[[Category:Islamic University of Gaza alumni]]
[[Category:Islamic University of Gaza alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council]]

⚫
[[Category:People from Gaza City]]

[[Category:University of Jordan alumni]]
{{Palestine-politician-stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:59, 24 November 2024

Khalil al-Hayya
خليل الحية
Al-Hayya in 2022
Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau
Acting
Assumed office
16 October 2024
Serving with Khaled Mashal, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and an unnamed Hamas official
Preceded byYahya Sinwar
Succeeded byTBA
Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau
In office
6 August 2024 – 16 October 2024
ChairmanYahya Sinwar
Preceded bySaleh al-Arouri
Succeeded byTBA
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 January 2006
ConstituencyGaza City
Personal details
Born (1960-11-05) 5 November 1960 (age 64)[1]
Gaza City, Egyptian Gaza Strip
NationalityPalestinian
Political partyHamas
Alma materIslamic University of Gaza (BA)
University of Jordan (MA)
University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences (PhD)
NicknameAbu Osama (kunya)

Khalil al-Hayya (Arabic: خليل الحية; born 5 November 1960) is a Palestinian politician who has served as the deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau since August 2024, succeeding deceased Saleh al-Arouri. He also serving as one of the acting quinquevirate leadership of Hamas, alongside with Khaled Mashal, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and an unnamed Hamas official after Yahya Sinwar was killed by the IDF in October 2024. He also was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council since January 2006 as a representative of Gaza City.

Early life and education

Al-Hayya received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Islamic University of Gaza, Master of Arts (MA) in Hadith from University of Jordan and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from University of the Holy Quran and Islamic Sciences. He joined Hamas after finished his bachelor's degree during the First Intifada. He worked part time as a teacher at that time.

Political career

Al-Hayya has been a Hamas official for decades.[2] He was regarded a close associate of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar,[3] and has been described as "one of the few people whom Sinwar felt he could rely on."[4]

Following the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, al-Hayya condemned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a rally in Gaza City, accusing him of launching a "war against God and Hamas" amid escalating violence between their factions. He declared that Hamas would not accept a referendum or new elections, asserting their parliamentary mandate following their electoral victory.[5]

In November 2019, al-Hayya and Rouhi Mushtaha led a delegation that departed from the Gaza Strip to visit several countries, including Turkey and Lebanon. Prior to this trip, the delegation reportedly met with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo.[6]

Al-Hayya has also headed reconciliation talks with Hamas’s rival Fatah.[7] In January 2022, he visited Algeria alongside Husam Badran for intra-Palestinian reconciliation discussions between Hamas and Fatah, following an invitation from Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune.[8]

In October 2022, al-Hayya announced that he and representatives from other Palestinian factions held a “historic” meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, marking the first such meeting in a decade. Al-Hayya stated that they agreed to end the rift between Hamas and Syria, which began when Hamas refused to support the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war. He expressed regret for any “mistaken action” taken against Syria in the past and emphasized the importance of the meeting in relaunching joint Palestinian-Syrian efforts. Al-Hayya praised Syria for its longstanding support of the Palestinian cause and noted that Assad reaffirmed Syria's commitment to backing the Palestinian “resistance.”[9]

Al-Hayya represented Hamas during indirect negotiatians with Israel for a hostage and ceasefire deal during the Israel–Hamas war.[10] Following the killing of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024, al-Hayya was considered a strong candidate to succeed him as the head of Hamas’s political office.[11][12]

Secret meeting minutes reviewed by The New York Times revealed that in July 2023, al-Hayya discussed plans of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel with senior Iranian commander Mohammed Said Izadi of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, who was based in Lebanon and helped oversee Tehran’s relations with Palestinian armed groups. The minutes indicated that al-Hayya informed Izadi that Hamas required assistance in targeting sensitive sites during the initial phase of the attack.[13]

Views

He has advocated for maintaining strong relations with Iran.[3]

In 2009, al-Hayya addressed coercive measures, such as mandates for female lawyers to wear hijabs and prohibitions on public touching, stating, "Neither the government nor Hamas has come out with any decision regarding such orders. We are an Islamic resistance movement that will never oblige anyone against his or her will. Advice is the best tactic." His remarks came amid tensions with extremist factions advocating for stricter religious enforcement in Gaza.[14]

In 2011, al-Hayya called on the United Nations to recognize Palestine within its pre-1948 borders.[15]

al-Hayya said Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th since it was necessary to "change the entire equation and not just have a clash," he also said: “We succeeded in putting the Palestinian issue back on the table, and now no one in the region is experiencing calm."[16] Speaking to the New York Times, he said that Hamas's goal is not "to run Gaza and bring it water and electricity" but to renew attention on the Palestinian cause,[17] and he said Hamas began October 7 to tell people that the Palestinian cause would not die.[18]

In November 2021, al-Hayya stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is “no longer accepted” by the Palestinian people, claiming it has become a burden on the Palestinian cause. He called for a redefinition of the PA’s role based on a comprehensive national vision and emphasized the need for a revamped leadership "on the basis of a political program representing all the Palestinians and a mechanism for confronting the occupation." He condemned the security coordination between PA forces and Israel in the West Bank and blamed Abbas for the rift between the West Bank and Gaza Strip.[19]

In April 2024, al-Hayya said that Hamas would agree to a cease-fire with Israel, lay down its arms and transform into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established on the pre-1967 borders.[20] He also clarified that the proposed Palestinian state would require "the return of Palestinian refugees" to present-day Israel.[21]

In October 2024, after the killing of Yahya Sinwar, al-Hayya said that "Hamas is moving forward until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital."[22]

Personal life

Seven or eight of al-Hayya's relatives, including two of his brothers, were killed by Israeli strikes on his home in 2007,[23][24] in a failed assassination attempt on him.[2] One of his sons was killed by an Israeli airstrike in 2008 while leading a rocket brigade.[25][26] Another son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were killed by an airstrike on his home in July 2014 during the 2014 Gaza War.[27][28][29]

During a news conference amid widespread protests over severe electricity shortages, al-Hayya stated "I suffer like you. I don’t have electricity in my home" and attributed delays in upgrading the electricity supply lines to the Palestinian Authority.[30]

He resided in the neighborhood of Shuja'iyya.

See also

References

  1. ^ Khalil al-Hayya
  2. ^ a b Yoon, John (July 31, 2024). "After Haniyeh's Death, Who Are Hamas's Most Prominent Leaders?". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b "Yahya Sinwar will hold sway over Hamas from beyond the grave". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  4. ^ "Who's next? Speculation swirls on who will take over Hamas from slain Sinwar". The Times of Israel. October 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Myre, Greg (December 16, 2006). "Palestinian Factional Strife Escalates Into Gunfights Between Fatah and Hamas". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Abu Toameh, Khaled (2019-12-01). "Egypt to allow Hamas leader to leave Gaza". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  7. ^ "Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said leading delegation to Cairo". The Times of Israel. August 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Abu Toameh, Khaled (2022-01-18). "PA minister panned for blaming Hamas for floods". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  9. ^ Abu Toameh, Khaled (2022-10-19). "Hamas leader holds 'warm' meeting with Syria's Assad". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  10. ^ "As Sinwar takes charge, Qatar-based Hamas official to keep leading negotiations". The Times of Israel. August 7, 2024.
  11. ^ Abualouf, Rushdi (October 20, 2024). "Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar?". BBC. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  12. ^ Hubbard, Ben (October 18, 2024). "Sinwar's Death Could Shake but Not Topple Hamas, Experts Say". The New York Times.
  13. ^ "Secret Documents Show Hamas Tried to Persuade Iran to Join Its Oct. 7 Attack". The New York Times. October 12, 2024.
  14. ^ El-Khodary, Taghreed; Bronner, Ethan (September 5, 2009). "Hamas Fights Over Gaza's Islamist Identity". The New York Times.
  15. ^ Agence-France Presse (18 September 2011). "Hamas rejects U.N. bid, saying it compromises 'historical Palestine'". Al Arabiya. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  16. ^ Hubbard, Ben; Abi-Habib, Maria (2023-11-08). "Behind Hamas's Bloody Gambit to Create a 'Permanent' State of War". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  17. ^ "Hamas members tell NYT they hope for 'permanent' war, do not care about running Gaza". Times of Israel. 8 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Hamas says purpose of massacres was a 'permanent' state of war on Israel's borders".
  19. ^ Abu Toameh, Khaled (2021-11-11). "What are the chances for a Palestinian unity government? - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  20. ^ "Top Hamas official says group would agree to truce if independent Palestinian state established along pre-1967 borders". PBS News. 25 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Hamas official who sought endless war after Oct. 7 says it could put down arms for 2-state deal". The Times of Israel. April 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Live updates: Hamas issues defiant message in first statement after Sinwar's death". NBC News. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  23. ^ al-Mughrabi, Nidal (20 May 2007). "Israel kills 9; 8 in raid on Hamas official's home". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014.
  24. ^ B'Tselem (24 May 2007). "B'Tselem calls for criminal investigation into Gaza bombing". Electronic Intifada.
  25. ^ Barzak, Ibrahim; Karin Laub (28 February 2008). "Israel kills 20 Palestinians in Gaza". Associated Press.
  26. ^ "Hamas leader 'thanks God' for son's death". Ynet. 28 February 2008.
  27. ^ Beaumont, Peter; Harriet Sherwood (20 July 2014). "'Death and horror' in Gaza as thousands flee Israeli bombardment: Fiercest fighting yet as Israel widens ground offensive and faces accusations of war crimes over rising number of civilian deaths". Guardian (UK).
  28. ^ "IDF: House of Hamas official targeted in overnight Gaza strikes". Jerusalem Post. 17 July 2014.
  29. ^ Bannoura, Saed (20 July 2014). "Nine More Palestinians Killed, Medics Targeted Again". IMEMC News.
  30. ^ Al Waheidi, Majd (January 12, 2017). "With Electricity in Short Supply, 10,000 Protest in Gaza, Defying Hamas". The New York Times.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Khalil_al-Hayya&oldid=1259243053"