Hamas has named Khalil Al-Hayya as its new overall leader. The Palestinian militant group announced the selection on Monday.
Al-Hayya, the group's exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator, replaces Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar was killed in combat with Israeli forces in October 2024.
Analysts view Al-Hayya as more hardline than other candidates. His selection is seen as a message of defiance, signaling Hamas remains committed to armed struggle and rejects disarmament.
The group faces immense pressure, battered by a two-year war with Israel that began after its October 7, 2023 attack. International demands to disarm continue.
While a US-brokered ceasefire has reduced fighting, Israel still controls much of Gaza. Conditions for the territory's 2 million people remain dire. An Israeli strike killed at least two Palestinians in Khan Younis on Monday.
Talks involving mediators, Egypt, Qatar, and U.S. envoys have failed to reach a broad agreement. The U.S. ceasefire plan demands Hamas disarm and be replaced by a technocratic administration.