Palestinian political figure and Hamas leader.
Israeli airstrikes and shootings have killed multiple Palestinians across Gaza this week, including strikes on refugee camps and apartment blocks in Gaza City, Jabalia and Khan Younis. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have been holding talks in Cairo with Hamas and other factions over a U.S.-backed plan; talks remain deadlocked mainly over disarming Hamas and Israeli withdrawals.
Hamas has elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed in 2024. The vote follows a wartime leadership transition and reflects tensions between Gaza-based leadership and diaspora factions, with al-Hayya seen as aligned with Tehran and a continuing hardline stance.
A commander in Hamas’ Jenin cell has been killed in an Israeli airstrike following an intelligence-led operation. The strike targets a vehicle carrying three militants, with weapons recovered at the scene. Israeli officials say Bitawi directed and financed attacks in the West Bank and maintained links with Hamas leadership. The operation comes as Israel amplifies its counterterrorism actions in the West Bank amid ongoing tensions with Hamas and allied groups.