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List of leaders of Hamas

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List of leaders of Hamas

The chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau (Arabic: رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس, romanized: Ra’īs al-Maktab as-Siasi li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās), also known as the chairman of the Hamas Shura Council (Arabic: رئيس مجلس شورى لحركة حماس, romanized: Ra’īs Majlis Shūra li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās) from 1987 until 2004, is the overall and de facto leader of Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military organisation that has been governing the Gaza Strip since 2007. The position is currently vacant, following the killing of Yahya Sinwar by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on 16 October 2024 in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. The council leads Hamas until the next election, which was scheduled to take place in March 2025 if "conditions permit". The council consists of Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and an unnamed senior member of Hamas. The chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau is expected to oversee the organization and its various components, while military operations are managed separately by military commanders. The chairman serves as a figurehead for Hamas during Palestinian elections and becomes the central leader in the operations against Israeli occupation. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in foreign relations, leading negotiations with Israeli officials regarding peace processes, fostering reconciliation with Fatah, and enhancing ties with other Middle Eastern countries.

Infobox

Type
Political party office
Status
Political party leader
Member of
Hamas Shura Council of Hamas Political Bureau of Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades
Residence
Gaza Strip, Palestine (1987–2004) Amman, Jordan (1992–1999) Doha, Qatar (1999–2001) Damascus, Syria (2001–2012) Doha, Qatar (2012–2024) Cairo, Egypt (2012–2024) Gaza Strip, Palestine (2024) Doha, Qatar (2024–present)
Nominator
Political Bureau of Hamas
Appointer
Shura Council of Hamas
Term length
Four years, renewable (Two term limit)
Constituting instrument
1988 Hamas charter
Formation
10 December 1987 (1987-12-10) 17 April 2004 (2004-04-17)
First holder
Ahmed Yassin (as the Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council) Khaled Mashal (as the Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau)
Deputy
Vacant (as the Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, since 16 October 2024)

Tables

· List of leaders
Time in office
Time in office
No.
Took office
Name (Birth–Death)
Time in office
Ahmed Yassin أحمد ياسين (1936–2004)
Ahmed Yassin أحمد ياسين (1936–2004)
No.
1
Name (Birth–Death)
Ahmed Yassin أحمد ياسين (1936–2004)
Term of office
10 December 1987
Term of office
22 March 2004 X
Term of office
16 years, 103 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (10 December 1987 – 22 March 2004)
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (1947–2004)
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (1947–2004)
No.
2
Name (Birth–Death)
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (1947–2004)
Term of office
22 March 2004
Term of office
17 April 2004 X
Term of office
26 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Vacant (22 March 2004 – 17 April 2004)
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956)
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956)
No.
3
Name (Birth–Death)
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956)
Term of office
17 April 2004
Term of office
6 May 2017
Term of office
13 years, 19 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Mousa Abu Marzook موسى أبو مرزوق‎ (17 April 2004 – 4 April 2013)
Ismail Haniyeh إسماعيل هنية (c. 1962–2024)
Ismail Haniyeh إسماعيل هنية (c. 1962–2024)
No.
4
Name (Birth–Death)
Ismail Haniyeh إسماعيل هنية (c. 1962–2024)
Term of office
6 May 2017
Term of office
31 July 2024 X
Term of office
7 years, 86 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Saleh al-Arouri صالح العاروري (9 October 2017 – 2 January 2024) X
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956) Acting
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956) Acting
No.
–
Name (Birth–Death)
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956) Acting
Term of office
31 July 2024
Term of office
6 August 2024
Term of office
6 days
Yahya Sinwar يحيى السنوار (1962–2024)
Yahya Sinwar يحيى السنوار (1962–2024)
No.
5
Name (Birth–Death)
Yahya Sinwar يحيى السنوار (1962–2024)
Term of office
6 August 2024
Term of office
16 October 2024 †
Term of office
71 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Khalil al-Hayya خليل الحية (6 August 2024 – 16 October 2024)
Temporary committee leadership قيادة اللجنة المؤقتة Acting
Temporary committee leadership قيادة اللجنة المؤقتة Acting
No.
–
Name (Birth–Death)
Temporary committee leadership قيادة اللجنة المؤقتة Acting
Term of office
16 October 2024
Term of office
Incumbent
Term of office
1 year, 216 days
Deputy (Time in office)
Vacant (16 October 2024 – present)
No.
Portrait
Name (Birth–Death)
Term of office
Deputy (Time in office)
Ref.
Took office
Left office
Time in office
Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council رئيس مجلس شورى لحركة حماس (Arabic)
1
Ahmed Yassin أحمد ياسين (1936–2004)
10 December 1987
22 March 2004 X
16 years, 103 days
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (10 December 1987 – 22 March 2004)
2
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi عبد العزيز الرنتيسي (1947–2004)
22 March 2004
17 April 2004 X
26 days
Vacant (22 March 2004 – 17 April 2004)
Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس (Arabic)
3
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956)
17 April 2004
6 May 2017
13 years, 19 days
Mousa Abu Marzook موسى أبو مرزوق‎ (17 April 2004 – 4 April 2013)
Ismail Haniyeh إسماعيل هنية (4 April 2013 – 6 May 2017)
4
Ismail Haniyeh إسماعيل هنية (c. 1962–2024)
6 May 2017
31 July 2024 X
7 years, 86 days
Saleh al-Arouri صالح العاروري (9 October 2017 – 2 January 2024) X
Vacant (2 January 2024 – 6 August 2024)
–
Khaled Mashal خالد مشعل (born 1956) Acting
31 July 2024
6 August 2024
6 days
5
Yahya Sinwar يحيى السنوار (1962–2024)
6 August 2024
16 October 2024 †
71 days
Khalil al-Hayya خليل الحية (6 August 2024 – 16 October 2024)
–
Temporary committee leadership قيادة اللجنة المؤقتة Acting
16 October 2024
Incumbent
1 year, 216 days
Vacant (16 October 2024 – present)
· List of chairmen of shura council and political bureau of Hamas › List of chairmen of shura council
1.
1.
No.
1.
Chairman of Hamas Shura Council
Ahmed Yassin
Took office
10 December 1987
Left office
22 March 2004
2.
2.
No.
2.
Chairman of Hamas Shura Council
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi
Took office
22 March 2004
Left office
17 April 2004
3.
3.
No.
3.
Chairman of Hamas Shura Council
???
Took office
17 April 2004
Left office
???
4.
4.
No.
4.
Chairman of Hamas Shura Council
Osama Mazini
Took office
???
Left office
16 October 2023
5.
5.
No.
5.
Chairman of Hamas Shura Council
Muhammad Ismail Darwish
Took office
17 October 2023
Left office
Incumbent
No.
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 shura council and political bureau of Hamas › List of chairmen of political bureau
1.
1.
No.
1.
Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau
Mousa Abu Marzook
Took office
1992
Left office
1996
2.
2.
No.
2.
Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau
Khaled Mashal
Took office
1996
Left office
6 May 2017
3.
3.
No.
3.
Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau
Ismail Haniyeh
Took office
6 May 2017
Left office
31 July 2024
4.
4.
No.
4.
Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau
Yahya Sinwar
Took office
6 August 2024
Left office
16 October 2024
5.
5.
No.
5.
Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau
???
Took office
???
Left office
Incumbent
No.
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
Commanders of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades · List of military leaders in the Gaza Strip
Saleh al-Arouri
Saleh al-Arouri
No.
1.
Name
Saleh al-Arouri
Took office
June–August 1991
Left office
1993
Cause of death
Assassinated by airstrike in 2024
Emad Akel
Emad Akel
No.
2.
Name
Emad Akel
Took office
1993
Left office
24 November 1993
Cause of death
Assassinated by IDF
Yahya Ayyash
Yahya Ayyash
No.
3.
Name
Yahya Ayyash
Took office
November–December 1993
Left office
5 January 1996
Cause of death
Assassinated by a boobytrapped cell phone
Adel Awadallah
Adel Awadallah
No.
4.
Name
Adel Awadallah
Took office
January–March 1996
Left office
10 September 1998
Cause of death
Assassinated by Yamam
Salah Shehade
Salah Shehade
No.
5.
Name
Salah Shehade
Took office
September–December 1998
Left office
22 July 2002
Cause of death
Assassinated by airstrike
Mohammed Deif
Mohammed Deif
No.
6.
Name
Mohammed Deif
Took office
July–September 2002
Left office
13 July 2024
Cause of death
Assassinated by airstrike
Mohammed Sinwar
Mohammed Sinwar
No.
7.
Name
Mohammed Sinwar
Took office
4 November 2024
Left office
13 May 2025
Cause of death
Assassinated by airstrike
Izz al-Din al-Haddad
Izz al-Din al-Haddad
No.
8.
Name
Izz al-Din al-Haddad
Took office
1 June 2025
Left office
15 May 2026
Cause of death
Assassinated by airstrike
Mohammed Odeh
Mohammed Odeh
No.
9.
Name
Mohammed Odeh
Took office
18 May 2026
Left office
Incumbent
No.
Name
Took office
Left office
Cause of death
1.
Saleh al-Arouri
June–August 1991
1993
Assassinated by airstrike in 2024
2.
Emad Akel
1993
24 November 1993
Assassinated by IDF
3.
Yahya Ayyash
November–December 1993
5 January 1996
Assassinated by a boobytrapped cell phone
4.
Adel Awadallah
January–March 1996
10 September 1998
Assassinated by Yamam
5.
Salah Shehade
September–December 1998
22 July 2002
Assassinated by airstrike
6.
Mohammed Deif
July–September 2002
13 July 2024
Assassinated by airstrike
7.
Mohammed Sinwar
4 November 2024
13 May 2025
Assassinated by airstrike
8.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad
1 June 2025
15 May 2026
Assassinated by airstrike
9.
Mohammed Odeh
18 May 2026
Incumbent

References

  1. Consists of Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and an unnamed senior member of Hama
  2. The fifth de facto leader and chairman of Hamas Political Bureau, Yahya Sinwar, was the one and only Hamas leader direct
  3. The first and second chairman of Hamas Shura Council resides in Gaza Strip, Palestine, before both of them were assassin
  4. The first and second chairman of Hamas Political Bureau resides in Amman, Jordan. They also open their headquarter (HQ)
  5. Yahya Sinwar resided in Gaza Strip, previously led the Hamas government there since February 2017 until his killing in O
  6. Temporarily led by a council consisting of Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and a
  7. However, on 8 November 2024, Hamas was asked by Qatar authorities to leave the country by the U . request following Hama
  8. However, Khaled Mashal period as chairman of Hamas Political Bureau was extended twice.
  9. The post will remain vacant until March 2025. Khalil al-Hayya, who served as the previous deputy chairman of the Hamas P
  10. According to the Saudi channel Al-Hadth, this may be Nizar Awadallah, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, who almost defeat
  11. The name of the fifth member was not published by Hamas "for security reasons".
  12. Al-Rantisi was named the new chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and covering duties as de-facto leader of Hamas after t
  13. No deputy chairman of the Hamas Shura Council and/or deputy leader of Hamas was appointed at this period of time.
  14. Mashal had been chairman of Hamas Political Bureau since 1996, following the imprisonment of his predecessor, Mousa Abu
  15. The post has remained vacant until Khalil al-Hayya selected as the new deputy chairman on 6 August 2024.
  16. This political office was created on 1992.
  17. After the assassination of Haniyeh in July 2024.
  18. After the assassination of al-Arouri in January 2024.
  19. After the killing of Sinwar in October 2024.
  20. Widely suspected to be the de facto commander, although unconfirmed by Hamas or al-Haddad, either directly or indirectly
Image
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