Hamas Nears New Leadership Election

Hamas is in the final phase of selecting a new leader, with Khaled Mashal and Khalil al-Hayya as the two main contenders. This internal election follows the killing of several Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, by Israeli forces. The process involves representatives from Hamas's three branches: the Palestine===Gaza Strip, the Palestine===West Bank, and its external leadership, who elect a Shura Council and a political bureau. The new leader will face the challenge of navigating international calls for disarmament from entities like the United States and Israel, while also managing resistance from Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. The election aims to renew internal legitimacy and fill leadership vacancies within the organization.