View source for List of leaders of Hamas

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{{Redirect2|Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau|Hamas Political Bureau|the political party of this office|Hamas|other uses|Hamas (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council|the Islamic term of collective decision-making|Shura|other uses|Shura (disambiguation)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                    = Chairman
| body                    = the Hamas Political Bureau
| native_name             = {{ubl|{{native name|ar|رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس}}<br>{{small|{{transl|ar|Ra’īs al-Maktab as-Siasi li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās}}}}}}
| insignia                = Emblem of Hamas Vector Graphic.svg
| insigniasize            = 
| insigniacaption         = [[Emblem of Hamas]]
| insigniaalt             = 
| flag                    = Hamas Emblem Flag White Variant with Colored Emblem.svg
| flagsize                = 
| flagalt                 = 
| flagborder              = 
| flagcaption             = [[Flag of Hamas]]
| image                   = 
{{image array |perrow = 2 |height=110 |width=90 
| image1 = Khaled Meshaal 01 (cropped).jpg |caption1 = <span style="font-size: 110%;">[[Khaled Mashal|Mashal]]</span> |link1 = Khaled Mashal
| image2 = Khalil al-Hayya 2022 (cropped).jpg |caption2 = <span style="font-size: 110%;">[[Khalil al-Hayya|Al-Hayya]]</span> |link2 = Khalil al-Hayya
}}
{{pb}}
{{image array |perrow=3 |height=110 |width=90
| image1= Unknown person.jpg |caption1=<span style="font-size: 110%;">[[Zaher Jabarin|Jabarin]]</span> |link1= Zaher Jabarin
| image2 = Unknown person.jpg |caption2=<span style="font-size: 110%;">[[Muhammad Ismail Darwish|Darwish]]</span> |link2= Muhammad Ismail Darwish
| image3 = Unknown person.jpg |caption3=<span style="font-size: 110%;">''Unknown''</span> |link3= 

}}
| imagesize               = 
| alt                     = 
| imagecaption            = 
| incumbent               = [[Hamas temporary committee|Temporary committee leadership]]<br/>{{NoteTag|Consists of [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Khalil al-Hayya]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed senior member of Hamas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Sinwar’s fatal mistake: Hamas leader refused Arab offer to escape Gaza- WSJ |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-825429 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=5 במקום אחד: "אלו חברי מועצת חמאס שיחליפו את סינוואר בהנהגה"
|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byhduxegkx|work=ynet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hamas to be temporarily led by five-member ruling committee |url=https://thearabweekly.com/hamas-be-temporarily-led-five-member-ruling-committee |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=The Arab Weekly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC |language=en}}</ref>}}
| acting                  = yes
| incumbentsince          = 16 October 2024
| department              = 
| style                   = 
| type                    = Political party office
| status                  = Political party leader
| abbreviation            = 
| member_of               = [[Hamas]] <br /> [[Hamas#Shura Council and Political Bureau|Shura Council of Hamas]] <br /> [[Hamas#Shura Council and Political Bureau|Political Bureau of Hamas]]<br/><s>[[Al-Qassam Brigades]]</s>{{NoteTag|The fifth de facto leader and chairman of Hamas Political Bureau, [[Yahya Sinwar]], was the one and only Hamas leader directly involved with the [[Al-Qassam Brigades]] and fight with the militants on the front line until he was [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killed by the IDF]] in October 2024. He was directly involved in some [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]], like the [[First Intifada|First Palestinian Intifada]] and [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis]].}}
| reports_to              = 
| residence               = [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]]{{NoteTag|The first and second chairman of Hamas Shura Council resides in [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], before both of them were assassinated by an Israeli strike. They led the overall Hamas there, although the headquarter (HQ) of Hamas was moved to [[Amman]], [[Jordan]] in 1992. The first and second leaders of Hamas led here until 2004, where the full power of Hamas leadership was transferred from chairman of Hamas Shura Council to chairman of Hamas Political Bureau.}}<br />{{small|(1987–2004)}} <br /> [[Amman]], [[Jordan]]{{NoteTag|The first and second chairman of Hamas Political Bureau resides in [[Amman]], [[Jordan]]. They also open their headquarter (HQ) there since the creation of this position in Hamas (Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau).}}<br />{{small|(1992–1999)}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Recknagel |first=Charles |title=Iran: Expulsion From Jordan Only Temporary Setback For Hamas |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1092746.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=Radio Free Europe |language=en | quote=For years, Amman and Damascus have been safe havens from which the most radical leaders of Hamas could operate beyond the reach of the Israeli and Palestinian Authority security services. But Jordan's recent closure of the Amman office of Hamas, the acronym of the Islamic Resistance Movement, now has changed that equation and set the group looking for new political bases and allies abroad.}}</ref> <br /> [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]<br />{{small|(1999–2001)}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cafiero |first=Giorgio |title=Why Syria is So Silent About Hamas |url=https://www.stimson.org/2024/why-syria-is-so-silent-about-hamas/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=Stimson |language=en | quote=Syria first became a state sponsor of Hamas in the 1990s. American and Israeli pressure had contributed to Jordan’s decision to evict the Palestinian group’s exiled political leadership from Amman in 1999, resulting in Hamas’s external headquarters moving to Damascus in 2001 following a brief stay in Qatar. Damascus provided Hamas the freedom to train its militants on Syrian soil while the Syrian Ministry of Information became the venue for Hamas’s exiled political leadership to hold press conferences. This support was one major reason why the U.S. State Department has kept Syria on its “state sponsors of terrorism” list for so many years.}}</ref> <br /> [[Damascus]], [[Syria]]<br/>{{small|(2001–2012)}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cafiero |first=Giorgio |title=Why Syria is So Silent About Hamas |url=https://www.stimson.org/2024/why-syria-is-so-silent-about-hamas/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=Stimson |language=en | quote=But the Syrian government’s relationship with Hamas drastically deteriorated after Hamas sided with Assad’s opponents after the Arab Spring erupted in 2011. By February 2012, the Damascus-Hamas rift resulted in the resistance organization’s politburo leaving Syria and relocating to Egypt and Qatar.}}</ref> <br /> [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]<br />{{small|(2012–2024)}} <br /> [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]]<br />{{small|(2012–2024)}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Elhanan |title=Cairo agrees to host Hamas headquarters, Arabic daily says |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cairo-agrees-to-host-hamas-headquarters-daily-reports/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en | quote=Less than one year after closing its headquarters in Damascus, Hamas’s “outside” leadership has found a new home in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. Hamas leaders are split between Gaza, where they took violent control in 2007, the West Bank, where they seek to gain control, and elsewhere in the region. London-based daily Al-Hayat reported Tuesday that Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood administration has agreed to open a Hamas office in eastern Cairo and establish a joint committee with Hamas to discuss issues of security along the Gaza-Egypt border.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Hamas opens office in Cairo |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170914-hamas-opens-office-in-cairo/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=Middle East Monitor |language=en | quote=The Egyptian government agreed to allow the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, to open an office in Cairo and appoint a permanent representative there. Egyptian sources stated that the Hamas delegation currently visiting Cairo agreed with the Egyptian intelligence agency to appoint a representative for the movement in the Egyptian capital, who will act as a coordinator to discuss and deal with various issues. The agreement between the two sides stipulates that there will be permanent representation for the movement in Cairo in order to follow up on the movement’s affairs, as well as the affairs of Gazans in Egypt.}}</ref> <br /> [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]]{{NoteTag|[[Yahya Sinwar]] resided in [[Gaza Strip]], previously led the [[Hamas government in the Gaza Strip|Hamas government]] there since February 2017 until his [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killing]] in October 2024.}}<br />{{small|(2024)}} <br /> [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]{{NoteTag|Temporarily led by a [[Hamas temporary committee|council]] consisting of [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Khalil al-Hayya]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed senior member of Hamas.}} <br /> {{small|(2024)}}{{NoteTag|However, on 8 November 2024, Hamas was asked by Qatar authorities to leave the country by the U.S. request following Hamas's rejection weeks ago of another hostage release proposal.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Qatar agrees to kick Hamas out of Doha following US request, sources say |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/08/politics/qatar-hamas-doha-us-request/index.html |access-date=2024-11-08 |work=CNN |language=en | quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=After Hamas rejection of hostage deal, US asked Qatar to expel the group |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/after-hamas-rejection-hostage-deal-us-asked-qatar-expel-group-2024-11-08/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |work=Reuters |language=en | quote=}}</ref>}}<br />???<br />{{small|(2024–present)}}
| seat                    = 
| nominator               = [[Hamas#Shura Council and Political Bureau|Political Bureau of Hamas]]
| appointer               = [[Hamas#Shura Council and Political Bureau|Shura Council of Hamas]]
| appointer_qualified     = 
| termlength              = Four years, renewable
| termlength_qualified    = (Two term limit){{NoteTag|However, [[Khaled Mashal]] period as chairman of Hamas Political Bureau was extended twice.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to step down from his position  |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/18/hamas-leader-meshaal-step-down |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en | quote=Abu Marzouk is expected to be in contention to succeed Meshaal, although Ismail Haniyeh, the de facto prime minister of Gaza, could also stand for the political leadership. The post is meant to be limited to two terms, although Meshaal's period at the helm was extended twice.}}</ref>}}
| constituting_instrument = [[1988 Hamas charter]]
| precursor               = 
| formation               = {{Start date and age|1987|12|10|df=yes}} <br /> {{Start date and age|2004|04|17|df=yes}}
| first                   = [[Ahmed Yassin]]<br />{{small|(as the Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council)}} <br /> [[Khaled Mashal]]<br />{{small|(as the Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau)}}
| last                    = 
| abolished               = 
| superseded_by           = 
| succession              = 
| unofficial_names        = 
| deputy                  = ''Vacant''{{NoteTag|The post will remain vacant until March 2025. [[Khalil al-Hayya]], who served with [[Yahya Sinwar]] as the previous deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, was promoted to become a member of the [[Shared leadership|quinquevirate leadership]] that will lead Hamas until the next election that will take place in March 2025.}}<br/>{{small|(as the Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, since 16 October 2024)}}
| salary                  = 
| website                 = <!-- {{url|example.com}}-->
| footnotes               = 
}}
{{Hamas history|expand=Leaders}}
{{Palestinian leaders}}
The '''chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau''' ({{langx|ar|رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس|Ra’īs al-Maktab as-Siasi li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās}}), also known as the '''chairman of the Hamas Shura Council''' ({{langx|ar|رئيس مجلس شورى لحركة حماس|Ra’īs Majlis Shūra li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās|link=no}}) from 1987 until 2004, is the overall and de facto leader of [[Hamas]], a [[Palestinian]] [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] [[Islamism|Islamist]] political and military organisation that is [[Hamas government in the Gaza Strip|governing most]] of the [[Gaza Strip]] since [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|2007]]. The position is currently vacant, following the [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killing]] of [[Yahya Sinwar]] by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) on 16 October 2024 in [[Rafah]], [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]]. However, the [[Hamas temporary committee|council]] that was handpicked by Sinwar in case of his death was formed and will lead Hamas until the next election that will take place in March 2025. The council consists of [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Khalil al-Hayya]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed senior member of Hamas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Sinwar’s fatal mistake: Hamas leader refused Arab offer to escape Gaza- WSJ |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-825429 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=5 במקום אחד: "אלו חברי מועצת חמאס שיחליפו את סינוואר בהנהגה"
|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byhduxegkx|work=ynet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hamas to be temporarily led by five-member ruling committee |url=https://thearabweekly.com/hamas-be-temporarily-led-five-member-ruling-committee |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=The Arab Weekly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC |language=en}}</ref>

The chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau is expected to oversee the organization and its various components, while [[Al-Qassam Brigades|military operations]] are managed separately by military commanders. Residing in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], the chairman serves as a figurehead for Hamas during [[Elections in Palestine|Palestinian elections]] and becomes the central leader in the resistance against [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli occupation]]. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in [[Foreign relations of Hamas|foreign relations]], leading negotiations with Israeli officials regarding [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process|peace processes]], [[Fatah–Hamas reconciliation process|fostering reconciliation]] with [[Fatah]], and enhancing ties with other [[Middle East]]ern countries.

== History ==
{{main|History of Hamas}}
[[Ahmed Yassin]], the founder of [[Hamas]], became the first chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and de facto leader of Hamas from December 1987 until March 2004. Following his [[Assassination of Ahmed Yassin|assassination]], his deputy, [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]] took over for only 26 days before he was [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|assassinated by Israel]].

The current chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau at that time, [[Khaled Mashal]], took over Hamas leadership and was declared the overall and de facto leader of Hamas since April 2004. Although he held this position since 1996, he was not the overall leader of Hamas since the chairman of the Hamas Shura Council at that time considered as the de facto leader. Hamas elected [[Mousa Abu Marzook]], the previous political bureau's chairman, as the deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau in January 1997.

In May 2017, [[Ismail Haniyeh]], the deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau, was elected by the Hamas Shura Council as the chairman of Hamas Political Bureau. Hamas also elected [[Saleh al-Arouri]] as the deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau. However, Al-Arouri was [[Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri|assassinated by Israeli strike]] in January 2024. Six months later, Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran while attending for the inauguration ceremony of the [[President of Iran]], [[Masoud Pezeshkian]].

On 31 July 2024, [[Khaled Mashal]] was selected as the acting chairman of Hamas Political Bureau until the new leader was elected.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan offered his condolences to Khaled Meshaal, Acting Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, 2 August 2024, Doha |url=https://www.mfa.gov.tr/sayin-bakanimizin-hamas-siyasi-buro-baskan-vekili-halid-mesal-e-taziye-ziyareti--2-agustos-2024--doha.en.mfa |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=Republic of Turkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Turkey calls Mashal Hamas' actring political chief after Haniyeh's assassination |url=https://www.uniindia.com/turkey-calls-mashal-hamas-acting-political-chief-after-haniyeh-s-assassination/world/news/3253809.html |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=United News of India |language=en}}</ref> Mashal, the then-chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, was expected to lead Hamas again.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al-Mughrabi |first=Nidal |title=Khaled Meshaal, who survived Israeli assassination attempt, tipped to be new Hamas leader |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/khaled-meshaal-who-survived-israeli-assassination-attempt-tipped-be-new-hamas-2024-07-31/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

On 5 August 2024, [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]] was expected to become the next chairman of Hamas Political Bureau.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halabi |first=Einav |title=Hamas said to pick head of religious council to replace Haniyeh |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjflecjc0 |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=Ynetnews|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Hamas allegedly names Muhammad Ismail Darwish as Haniyeh's successor |url=https://ednews.net/en/news/conflicts/672839-hamas-allegedly-names-muhammad-ismail |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=ED News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Halabi |first=Einav |title=Report: Head of Hamas Shura Council tapped to replace Haniyeh |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/636724 |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=Israel National News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Hamas could tap 'shadowy' figure to succeed Haniyeh, report says |url=https://www.jns.org/hamas-could-tap-shadowy-figure-to-succeed-haniyeh-report-says/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=JNS News |language=en}}</ref> Before this, he serving as the chairman of the Hamas Shura Council from October 2023, succeeded [[Osama Mazini]], after his killing on 16 October 2023 by Israeli strike.

However, on 6 August 2024, [[Yahya Sinwar]] was officially appointed as the next chairman of Hamas Political Bureau and de facto leader of Hamas, six days after the [[Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh|assassination]] of his predecessor, [[Ismail Haniyeh]]. The announcement came after the Shura Council, the body that elects Hamas' politburo, voted unanimously to choose Sinwar as the new leader, in what was described by a Hamas official as a "message of defiance to Israel".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as new overall leader |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxjjvdq7eyo |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as new leader after Ismail Haniyeh's killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/6/hamas-names-yahya-sinwar-as-new-leader-after-ismail-haniyehs-killing |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> [[Khalil al-Hayya]] was selected as the deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau on the same day. Previously, Al-Hayya was the deputy leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
[[File:Khalil al-Hayya 2022 (cropped).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Khalil al-Hayya]], previous deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau who served from 6 August 2024 until 16 October 2024, when Yahya Sinwar was [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killed by the IDF]]. He is also serving as the deputy leader of Hamas in the [[Gaza Strip]] since 2017.]]

On 16 October 2024, Sinwar was [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killed]] after leading Hamas for only two and a half months.

In the aftermath, [[Khaled Mashal]] was performing duties again as acting de facto leader of Hamas, for the second time, until the new leader was elected.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Khaled Mashal has taken over as the terrorist group's de facto leader |url=https://www.israele.net/sezione/news |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=Israele.net |language=it |quote=Translated to English: Following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, senior Hamas official Khaled Mashal (who is based in Qatar) has taken over as the terrorist group's de facto leader, who is also responsible for the hostage negotiations, Lebanese network LBCI reported Thursday evening, saying that Hamas has informed Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Khaled Mashal becomes new Hamas leader after Sinwar’s death — website|url=https://tass.com/world/1857679 |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=Tass |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Khaled Mashal becomes new Hamas leader after Sinwar's death|url=https://en.apa.az/asia/khaled-mashal-becomes-new-hamas-leader-after-sinwars-death-451304 |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=Apa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Khaled Mashal reportedly becomes Hamas leader after Sinwar’s death
|url=https://news.az/news/khaled-mashal-reportedly-becomes-hamas-leader-after-sinwars-death |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=News.az |language=en}}</ref>

Sinwar recommended that, in case of his death, Hamas appoint a council of leaders to govern and manage the transition following his death. The Sinwar's recommended council include:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Sinwar’s fatal mistake: Hamas leader refused Arab offer to escape Gaza- WSJ |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-825429 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=5 במקום אחד: "אלו חברי מועצת חמאס שיחליפו את סינוואר בהנהגה"
|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byhduxegkx|work=ynet}}</ref>
* [[Khaled Mashal]], second chairman of the [[List of leaders of Hamas#List of current members of main political bureau|Hamas Political Bureau]] (1996–2017)
* [[Khalil al-Hayya]], current deputy chairman of [[List of leaders of Hamas#List of current members of main political bureau|Hamas Political Bureau]] (2024) and [[List of leaders of Hamas#List of current members of political bureau in the Gaza Strip|Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip]] (2017–present)
* [[Zaher Jabarin]], current chairman of [[List of leaders of Hamas#List of current members of political bureau in the West Bank|Hamas Political Bureau in the West Bank]] (2024–present)
* [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], current chairman of Hamas Shura Council (2023–present)
* ''Unknown'', known to be as the current secretary of the [[List of leaders of Hamas#List of current members of main political bureau|Hamas Political Bureau]]{{NoteTag|According to the Saudi channel ''Al-Hadth'', this may be [[Nizar Awadallah]], a senior Hamas official in Gaza, who almost defeated [[Yahya Sinwar]] in the 2021 Hamas elections for the [[Hamas government in the Gaza Strip#Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip|leadership in the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=5 במקום אחד: "אלו חברי מועצת חמאס שיחליפו את סינוואר בהנהגה"
|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byhduxegkx|work=ynet}}</ref>}}{{NoteTag|The name of the fifth member was not published by Hamas "for security reasons".<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=5 במקום אחד: "אלו חברי מועצת חמאס שיחליפו את סינוואר בהנהגה"
|url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byhduxegkx|work=ynet}}</ref>}}

The Hamas official indicated that [[Khalil al-Hayya]] has assumed responsibility for most political and [[Foreign relations of Hamas|foreign affairs]] in addition to his direct oversight of Gaza-related matters and is effectively the acting de facto leader of Hamas.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC |language=en}}</ref>

There were many potential successor for future Hamas leader, including [[Khaled Mashal]], second chairman of Hamas Political Bureau from 1996 until 2017, [[Mohammed Sinwar]], brother of [[Yahya Sinwar]] and one of the leader of the [[Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], current Hamas leader in the [[West Bank]], and [[Khalil al-Hayya]], current deputy chairman of Hamas Political Bureau since 2024 and longtime deputy of Yahya Sinwar in Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Who could take over as the next Hamas leader? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/17/who-could-take-over-from-yahya-sinwar-as-hamas-leader/ |work=Telegraph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Israel killed Hamas’s leader. What happens next? |url=https://www.vox.com/world-politics/378433/israel-killed-hamass-leader-what-happens-next |work=Vox |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Mohammed Sinwar: The ruthless brother who 'came back from the dead' – Hamas’ heir apparent? |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1qpbzje1l |work=YNetNews |language=en}}</ref>

== Structure of organisation and selection ==
Hamas inherited a [[tripartite]] organization of social services, religious instruction, and [[Al-Qassam Brigades|military operations]] overseen by a Shura Council. It used to have four different roles: 
* a security service ([[Arabic]]: ''Jehaz Aman''); 
* a military division for acquiring weapons and conducting operations ([[Arabic]]: ''Al-Mujahideen al Filastinun''); 
* a charitable social welfare division ([[Arabic]]: ''Dawah''); and 
* a media branch ([[Arabic]]: ''A'alam''). 
Hamas is led both internally, in the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]], and externally, by two groups: Kuwaiti organization (''Kuwaidi''), led by [[Khaled Mashal]], and a Gaza group led by [[Mousa Abu Marzook]], who was exiled first to [[Damascus]] and subsequently to [[Egypt]]. Following its leader Mashal's decision to demand that [[Iraqi invasion of Kuwait|Iraq withdraw from Kuwait]] and defy [[Yasser Arafat]]'s decision to support [[Saddam Hussein]] in the invasion, the Kuwaiti group of Palestinian exiles started to receive substantial money from the Gulf States. [[Ismail Haniyeh]] was selected by the Hamas Shura Council in May 2017 to succeed Mashal as the leader of [[Hamas]].

The organization's operational actions are concealed by a veil of secrecy, making its actual structure unclear. Although this has been called into question, Hamas formally claims that the wings are separate and independent. Its wings, it has been suggested, are both distinct and united for political purposes, both foreign and internal. The wide network of informants and the depth of Israeli intelligence surveillance pose challenges to communication between Hamas' military and political wings. Field commanders were granted more discretionary authority over operations and the political direction of the militant wing was weakened following [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|the assassination]] of [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]].

The Hamas Shura Council ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: ''Majlis al-Shura'') is Hamas' main consultative body, with nearly 60 members, most in Gaza,<ref>{{cite news |title=The war in Gaza might complicate Haniyeh's replacement. Here are the possible contenders |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-hamas-haniyeh-replacement-political-bureau-16859ac53059cd395cf1cd785bbde939 |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=[[Associated Press|AP]] |date=2024-07-31}}</ref> and the main body that governs Hamas. It is modeled after the [[Quran]]ic idea of [[Sharia|shura]], or [[popular assembly]], which Hamas officials claim allows for [[Islam and democracy|democracy within an Islamic framework]]. The General Consultative Council, whose members are chosen from local council groupings, replaced the Shura Council as the organization became increasingly intricate and Israeli pressure mounted. The 15 members of the Hamas Political Bureau ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: ''Al-Maktab al-Siyasi'') that decides matters for Hamas is chosen by the council. Representatives are drawn from [[Palestinian prisoners in Israel|Israeli prisoners]], the [[West Bank]], [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]], and [[Foreign relations of Hamas|leaders living abroad]]. Up until January 2012, the Political Bureau was located in [[Damascus]]. However, due to Hamas' backing of the [[Syrian opposition|Syrian rebel]] against [[Bashar al-Assad]] during the [[Syrian civil war|civil war]], the office had to relocate to [[Qatar]].

== Powers and duties ==
The chairman of Hamas Political Bureau was expected to rule over Hamas and all its components. However, there's some exception on its [[Al-Qassam Brigades|military operations]], who have their own command from the military commanders.

The chairman will become the figurehead and lead the party in [[Elections in Palestine|all Palestinian elections]] ([[Next Palestinian presidential election|presidential election]] and [[Next Palestinian legislative election|legislative election]]). He will become the central figure for Hamas resistance against [[Israeli-occupied territories]] all over the world, contrasting to their opposite political party, [[Fatah]] which kind of moderate one.

The chairman also led the negotiations for [[Foreign relations of Hamas|Hamas foreign relations]] such as negotiations with [[Israel|Israeli government officials]] for [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process|peace process]], [[Fatah–Hamas reconciliation process|reconciliation process]] with [[Fatah]] and strengthen relations with [[Middle East#Countries and territory|other countries]] in the [[Middle East]].

== Residence ==
The residences of the leader changes over time. At inception, he resided in [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]]. Due to their security after the [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|assassination of their second chairman]], the residence was changed to [[Amman]], [[Jordan]] from 1992 until 1997. After that, they moving to [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] due to conflict with King [[Hussein of Jordan]]. He resided there from 1997 until 2012. After their headquarter (HQ) was closed by [[Syrian government]] amid their support for [[Syrian opposition]] in the [[Syrian civil war]], the chairman moved to [[Doha]], [[Qatar]] from 2012 until 2024.

The previous chairman, [[Yahya Sinwar]], led Hamas from [[Gaza Strip]], [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], since he also led the [[Hamas government in the Gaza Strip|Hamas government]] in the [[Gaza Strip]]. Sinwar was the first chairman of Hamas Political Bureau to reside in [[Gaza Strip]], doing so while the [[Israel–Hamas war|Hamas war with Israel]] was ongoing. The chairman of Hamas Political Bureau usually lived outside the [[Gaza Strip]], due to the security reasons.

Hamas closed its office in Damascus in 2012 after supporting the [[Syrian revolution|revolution]] against Syrian President [[Bashar al-Assad]]. Since then, Assad repeatedly denounced Hamas for betrayal and hypocrisy. Hamas announced in August 2023 that it intended to reopen its office in Syria.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hamas says it could 'reopen office in Damascus', despite recent Assad criticism |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/hamas-may-reopen-damascus-office-despite-assad-criticism |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=[[New Arab]] |date=2023-08-14}}</ref>

== Office holder fate ==
Most of the leaders that led [[Hamas]] have been assassinated while in office. The founder, [[Ahmed Yassin]] was [[Killing of Ahmed Yassin|killed]] in March 2004, while his successor, [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]] was [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|assassinated]] 26 days later. [[Ismail Haniyeh]], the 4th de facto leader of Hamas, was assassinated in July 2024 shortly after attending the inauguration ceremony of the [[President of Iran]], [[Masoud Pezeshkian]]. [[Yahya Sinwar]], the latest de facto leader of Hamas, was [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killed]] by [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF), alongside Mahmoud Hamdan, commander of the Tel Sultan Battalion and Hani Zaarab on 16 October 2024. Only [[Khaled Mashal]] has not been assassinated or killed, as of today.

== List of leaders ==

This is the list of leaders of Hamas since its inception in December 1987.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Deputy<br />(Time in office)
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
! colspan="8" | Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council<br />{{nobold|{{native name|ar|رئيس مجلس شورى لحركة حماس}}}}
|-
| 1
| [[File:Military trial of Ahmed Yassin, March 1990 I (colorized).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Ahmed Yassin]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|أحمد ياسين}}<br />{{small|(1936–2004)}}
| 10 December 1987
| [[Killing of Ahmed Yassin|22 March 2004]]{{Assassinated}}
| {{ayd|1987|12|10|2004|03|22}}
| [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]]<br />{{lang|ar|عبد العزيز الرنتيسي}}<br />(10 December 1987 – 22 March 2004)
| 
|-
| 2
| [[File:Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi.png|100px]]
| '''[[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|عبد العزيز الرنتيسي}}<br />{{small|(1947–2004)}} <br> {{NoteTag|Al-Rantisi was named the new chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and covering duties as de-facto leader of Hamas after the [[Killing of Ahmed Yassin|assassination]] of [[Ahmed Yassin]]. However, he did not last long in holding that position when he was [[Targeted killing|assassinated]] [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|within a month]].}}
| 22 March 2004
| [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|17 April 2004]]{{Assassinated}}
| {{ayd|2004|03|22|2004|04|17}}
| ''Vacant''<br />(22 March 2004 – 17 April 2004) <br> {{NoteTag|No deputy chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and/or deputy leader of Hamas was appointed at this period of time.}}
| 
|-
! colspan="8" | Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau<br />{{nobold|{{native name|ar|رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 3
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Khaled Meshaal 01 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" | '''[[Khaled Mashal]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|خالد مشعل}}<br />{{small|(born 1956)}}<br /> {{NoteTag|Mashal had been chairman of Hamas Political Bureau since 1996, following the imprisonment of his predecessor, [[Mousa Abu Marzook]], in July 1995. The founder of Hamas, [[Ahmed Yassin]], who also served as chairman of Hamas Shura Council, was designated as the leader of Hamas since its founding, to serve until his death. However, after his [[Killing of Ahmed Yassin|assassination]] in March 2004, the deputy chairman of the Shura Council, [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]], was appointed as the chairman of Hamas Shura Council and also the de-facto leader of Hamas. After a month, he was [[Assassination of Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi|assassinated]]. Thereafter, Mashal took over the leadership of Hamas, and the position of chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau has been regarded as the overall and de-facto leader of Hamas since April 2004. The position of chairman of Hamas Shura Council was not abolished and still continues to lead the Hamas Shura Council, but not the whole of Hamas anymore, just like its predecessors ([[Ahmed Yassin]] and [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]]) had designed.}}
| rowspan="2" | 17 April 2004
| rowspan="2" | 6 May 2017
| rowspan="2" | {{ayd|2004|04|17|2017|05|06}}
| [[Mousa Abu Marzook]]<br />{{lang|ar|موسى أبو مرزوق‎}}<br />(17 April 2004 – 4 April 2013) 
| rowspan=2| <ref>{{Cite news |last=Jha |first=Mausam |title=How Benjamin Netanyahu boosted rise of Khaled Meshaal, likely new chief of Hamas |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/hamas-chief-killing-ismail-haniyeh-khaled-meshaal-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-mossad-iran-lebanon-palestine-middle-east-us-11722482946647.html |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=Mint |language=en | quote=Khaled Meshaal led Hamas from exile in Damascus from 2004 until early 2012, when he left due to President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on Sunnis during the uprising. He now splits his time between Doha and Cairo.}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ismail Haniyeh]]<br />{{lang|ar|إسماعيل هنية}}<br />(4 April 2013 – 6 May 2017)<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Hamas appoints Haniya as deputy head: party official |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hamas-appoints-haniya-as-deputy-head-party-official-44266 |access-date=2024-08-04 |work=AFP |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 4
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Ismail Haniyeh (3x4 cropped).jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" | '''[[Ismail Haniyeh]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|إسماعيل هنية}}<br />{{small|({{circa|1962}}–2024)}}
| rowspan="2" | 6 May 2017
| rowspan="2" | [[Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh|31 July 2024]]{{Assassinated}}
| rowspan="2" | {{ayd|2017|05|06|2024|07|31}}
| [[Saleh al-Arouri]]<br />{{lang|ar|صالح العاروري}}<br />(9 October 2017 – [[Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri|2 January 2024]]){{Assassinated}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sarah |first=El Debb |title=The war in Gaza might complicate Haniyeh's replacement. Here are the possible contenders |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-hamas-haniyeh-replacement-political-bureau-16859ac53059cd395cf1cd785bbde939 |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=Associate Press |language=en |quote=Haniyeh headed the group’s political bureau until his death. His deputy was Saleh Arouri, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut in January and would have been the automatic replacement. Arouri’s post has remained empty since his death.}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | 
|-
| rowspan="2" | ''Vacant''<br />(2 January 2024 – 6 August 2024) <br> {{NoteTag|The post has remained vacant until [[Khalil al-Hayya]] selected as the new deputy chairman on 6 August 2024.}}
|-
| –
| [[File:Khaled Meshaal 01 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Khaled Mashal]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|خالد مشعل}}<br />{{small|(born 1956)<br />''Acting''}}
| 31 July 2024
| 6 August 2024
| {{ayd|2024|07|31|2024|08|06}}
| <ref>{{Cite news |title=Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan offered his condolences to Khaled Meshaal, Acting Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, 2 August 2024, Doha |url=https://www.mfa.gov.tr/sayin-bakanimizin-hamas-siyasi-buro-baskan-vekili-halid-mesal-e-taziye-ziyareti--2-agustos-2024--doha.en.mfa |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=Republic of Turkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Turkey calls Mashal Hamas' actring political chief after Haniyeh's assassination |url=https://www.uniindia.com/turkey-calls-mashal-hamas-acting-political-chief-after-haniyeh-s-assassination/world/news/3253809.html |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=United News of India |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 5
| [[File:Yahya Sinwar portrait 3x4.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Yahya Sinwar]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|يحيى السنوار}}<br />{{small|(1962–2024)}}
| 6 August 2024
| [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|16 October 2024]]{{KIA}}
| {{ayd|2024|08|06|2024|10|16}}
| [[Khalil al-Hayya]]<br />{{lang|ar|خليل الحية}}<br />(6 August 2024 – 16 October 2024)
| 
|-
| –
| [[File:Emblem of Hamas Vector Graphic.svg|100px]]
| '''[[Hamas temporary committee|Temporary committee leadership]]'''<br />{{lang|ar|قيادة اللجنة المؤقتة}} <br/> {{NoteTag|Consists of [[Khaled Mashal]], [[Khalil al-Hayya]], [[Zaher Jabarin]], [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]], and an unnamed senior member of Hamas.}}<br />{{small|''Acting''}}
| 16 October 2024
| ''Incumbent''
| {{ayd|2024|10|16}}
| ''Vacant''<br />(16 October 2024 – present) <br> {{NoteTag|The post will remain vacant until March 2025. [[Khalil al-Hayya]], who served with [[Yahya Sinwar]] as the previous deputy chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, was promoted to become a member of the [[Shared leadership|quinquevirate leadership]] that will lead Hamas until the next election that will take place in March 2025.}}
| <ref>{{Cite news |title=Hamas to be temporarily led by five-member ruling committee |url=https://thearabweekly.com/hamas-be-temporarily-led-five-member-ruling-committee |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=The Arab Weekly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

=== Timeline ===

This is the timeline of leaders of Hamas since its inception in December 1987.
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:16
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:80 right:150 left:20
AlignBars = late

Define $today = {{#time:d/m/Y}}

Colors =
  id:h value:Green legend:Hamas

  id:gray1  value:gray(0.85)
  id:gray2  value:gray(0.95)

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1987 till:$today
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:1990
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1987

Legend     = columns:1 left:150 top:35 columnwidth:170
 
TextData =
  pos:(20,38) textcolor:black fontsize:M
  text:"Political party:"

BarData =
 bar:Yassin
 bar:Rantisi
 bar:Mashal
 bar:Haniyeh
 bar:Sinwar

PlotData =
  width:5 align:left fontsize:9 shift:(5,-4) anchor:till

 bar: Yassin
  from: 10/12/1987 till: 22/03/2004 color:h text:"[[Ahmed Yassin]]"
 bar: Rantisi
  from: 22/03/2004 till: 17/04/2004 color:h text:"[[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]]"
 bar: Mashal
  from: 17/04/2004 till: 06/05/2017 color:h text:"[[Khaled Mashal]]"
 bar: Haniyeh
  from: 06/05/2017 till: 31/07/2024 color:h text:"[[Ismail Haniyeh]]"
 bar: Sinwar
  from: 06/08/2024 till: 16/10/2024 color:h text:"[[Yahya Sinwar]]"

}}

This is the timeline of deputy leaders of Hamas since its inception in December 1987.
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:16
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:80 right:150 left:20
AlignBars = late

Define $today = {{#time:d/m/Y}}

Colors =
  id:h value:Green legend:Hamas

  id:gray1  value:gray(0.85)
  id:gray2  value:gray(0.95)

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1987 till:$today
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:1990
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1987

Legend     = columns:1 left:150 top:35 columnwidth:170
 
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  pos:(20,38) textcolor:black fontsize:M
  text:"Political party:"

BarData =
 bar:Rantisi
 bar:Marzook
 bar:Haniyeh
 bar:Al-Arouri
 bar:Al-Hayya

PlotData =
  width:5 align:left fontsize:9 shift:(5,-4) anchor:till

 bar: Rantisi
  from: 10/12/1987 till: 22/03/2004 color:h text:"[[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]]"
 bar: Marzook
  from: 17/04/2004 till: 14/04/2013 color:h text:"[[Mousa Abu Marzook]]"
 bar: Haniyeh
  from: 14/04/2013 till: 06/05/2017 color:h text:"[[Ismail Haniyeh]]"
 bar: Al-Arouri
  from: 06/05/2017 till: 02/01/2024 color:h text:"[[Saleh al-Arouri]]"
 bar: Al-Hayya
  from: 06/08/2024 till: 16/10/2024 color:h text:"[[Khalil al-Hayya]]"

}}

== List of chairmen of shura council and political bureau of Hamas ==
=== List of chairmen of shura council ===
This is the incomplete list of chairman of Hamas Shura Council since 1987. 
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! # || Chairman of Hamas Shura Council || Took office || Left office
|-
| 1. || [[Ahmed Yassin]] || 10 December 1987 || 22 March 2004
|-
| 2. || [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]] || 22 March 2004 || 17 April 2004
|-
| 3. || ??? || 17 April 2004 || ???
|-
| 4. || [[Osama Mazini]] || ??? || 16 October 2023
|-
| 5. || [[Muhammad Ismail Darwish]] || 17 October 2023 || ''Incumbent''
|}

=== List of chairmen of political bureau ===
This is the incomplete list of chairman of Hamas Political Bureau since 1992.{{NoteTag|This political office was created on 1992.}}
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! # || Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau || Took office || Left office
|-
| 1. || [[Mousa Abu Marzook]] || 1992 || 1996
|-
| 2. || [[Khaled Mashal]] || 1996 || 6 May 2017
|-
| 3. || [[Ismail Haniyeh]] || 6 May 2017 || 31 July 2024
|-
| 4. || [[Yahya Sinwar]] || 6 August 2024 || 16 October 2024
|-
| 5. || ??? || ??? || ''Incumbent''
|}

== List of current members of political bureau of Hamas ==
The Politburo comprises 15 members elected by the Hamas Shura Council every four years. Until his death on 16 October 2024 it was headed by Yahya Sinwar, who replaced Ismail Haniyeh in August 2024 following the assassination of Haniyeh. In addition to the main Politburo, Hamas has regional political bureau elected by four regional shura council, representing the West Bank, Gaza, the diaspora / Palestinian abroad, and Israeli prisoners.

=== List of current members of main political bureau ===
This is the current list of the main political bureau of Hamas. All these members was elected since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Mapping Palestinian Politics - Hamas - Politburo |url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/politburo/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=ECFR |language=en}}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
{{columns-list|
* <s>[[Ismail Haniyeh]]</s>{{Assassinated}} (Chairman)
* <s>[[Yahya Sinwar]]</s>{{KIA}} (Chairman){{NoteTag|After the [[Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh|assassination of Haniyeh]] in July 2024.}}
* <s>[[Saleh al-Arouri]]</s>{{Assassinated}} (Deputy Chairman)
* [[Khalil al-Hayya]] (Deputy Chairman){{NoteTag|After the [[Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri|assassination of al-Arouri]] in January 2024.}}
* [[Nizar Awadallah]]
* [[Husam Badran]]
* [[Salah al-Bardawil]]
* [[Fathi Hamad]]
* [[Zaher Jabarin]]
* [[Mousa Abu Marzook]]
* [[Khaled Mashal]]
* [[Haroun Abu Muhammad]]
* [[Mohammad Nazzal]]
* [[Abu Khalil al-Quds]]
* Izzat al-Risheq
* [[Abu al-Abed Salah]]
* [[Maher Jawad Salah]]
* <s>[[Sameh al-Siraj]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
}}

=== List of current members of political bureau in the Gaza Strip ===
This is the current list of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip. All these members was elected since March 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Mapping Palestinian Politics - Hamas - Gaza Leadership |url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/gaza-leadership/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=ECFR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=
The composition of the elected political bureau of Hamas in the Gaza Strip (2021)|url=https://www.runi.ac.il/media/ow2jfa0j/michael-18-3-21table.pdf |access-date=2024-08-07 |work= |language= }}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
{{columns-list|
* <s>[[Yahya Sinwar]]</s>{{KIA}} (Chairman)
* [[Mohammed Sinwar]] (Chairman){{NoteTag|After the [[Killing of Yahya Sinwar|killing of Sinwar]] in October 2024.}}
* [[Khalil al-Hayya]] (Deputy Chairman)
* [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]]
* <s>[[Rawhi Mushtaha]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Sameh al-Siraj]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Marwan Issa]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Jamila al-Shanti]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* [[Fatima Sharab]]
* [[Ghazi Hamad]]
* [[Ismail Barhoum]]
* [[Suheil al-Hindi]]
* <s>[[Zakaria Abu Maamar]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Jawad Abu Shamala]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* [[Kamal Abu Awan]]
* [[Essam al-Da'alis]]
}}

=== List of current members of political bureau in the West Bank ===
List of the political bureau of Hamas in the West Bank elected since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Kali |title=Who Governs the Palestinians? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/who-governs-palestinians |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=Council of Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Menachem |first=Yoni Ben |title=The Globalization of Hamas Terror |url=https://jcpa.org/the-globalization-of-hamas-terror/ |work=Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs |language=en}}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
* <s>[[Saleh al-Arouri]]</s>{{Assassinated}} (Chairman)
* [[Zaher Jabarin]] (<s>Deputy Chairman</s>; Chairman){{NoteTag|After the [[Assassination of Saleh al-Arouri|assassination of al-Arouri]] in January 2024.}}
* <s>[[Azzam al-Aqra]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Samir Fandi]]</s>{{Assassinated}}
* <s>[[Khalil al-Kharraz]]</s>{{Assassinated}}

=== List of current members of political bureau in the Diaspora / Palestinian Abroad ===
This is the current list of the political bureau of Hamas in the Diaspora / Palestinian Abroad. All these members was elected since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alshawabkeh  |first=Lina |title=Hamas: Who are the group's most prominent leaders? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67103298 |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=BBC News |language=en| quote= Meshaal, who lives in Qatar, visited the Gaza Strip for the first time in 2012. He was received by Palestinian officials and crowds of Palestinians came out to welcome him. Hamas elected Ismail Haniyeh to succeed Meshaal as head of its political bureau in 2017, and Meshaal became head of the group's political bureau abroad.}}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
* [[Khaled Mashal]] (Chairman)

=== List of current members of political bureau in the Israeli prisoners ===
This is the current list of the political bureau of Hamas in the Israeli prisoners. All these members was elected since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Kali |title=Who Governs the Palestinians? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/who-governs-palestinians |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=Council of Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2024}}
* [[Salameh Katawi]] (Chairman)

== See also ==
* [[Secretary-General of Hezbollah]]
* [[Axis of Resistance]]
* [[Palestinian Joint Operations Room]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Hamas leaders}}
{{Hamas cabinet}}
{{Hamas}}
{{Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leaders of Hamas}}
[[Category:Hamas leaders]]
[[Category:Hamas members]]
[[Category:Palestinian politicians]]
[[Category:Lists of Palestinian people]]