ISTANBUL / Anadolu

** New head of Hamas political bureau in first speech after his election:

Movement's priorities include Palestinian unity, strengthening Arab and Islamic relations, and international action

We call for immediate national dialogue and rebuilding the PLO on democratic and consensual foundations

We call on our Arab and Islamic nation to take effective action and pressure to stop the machine of killing and genocide against our people

Khalil al-Hayya, the new head of Hamas’s political bureau, on Wednesday set six priorities for the movement, foremost among them a comprehensive cessation of Israeli aggression, and full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, calling on the sponsoring countries of the negotiations to pressure the Israeli government to implement what has been agreed upon, and move to the next phase.

This came in al-Hayya’s first speech after the movement elected him on Monday as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was killed during a clash with an Israeli force in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip in October 2024.

Al-Hayya said the second priority is to restore dignified human life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, thwart displacement plans, accelerate reconstruction, and work to free prisoners.

He added that the third priority is to achieve Palestinian national unity, and launch a national dialogue to rebuild Palestinian institutions, foremost the Palestine Liberation Organization.

In this regard, al-Hayya called for 'an immediate national dialogue, and rebuilding the PLO on democratic and consensual foundations.'

He continued: 'We extend our hands to all Palestinian components and forces to unite on a common word according to an agreed national program that includes achieving our people’s priorities and goals, because this stage cannot tolerate exclusivity or exclusion.'

Al-Hayya explained that the fourth priority is to strengthen the movement’s relations with its Arab and Islamic surroundings.

He pointed out that the fifth priority is to call on Arab and Islamic countries to 'take effective action and pressure to stop the machine of killing and genocide against our people and to shoulder their fraternal, historical, and religious responsibilities.'

Al-Hayya noted that 'the rapid developments in the region prove the reality that the stability and security of the Palestinian people and their attainment of their rights, freedom, and independence is the key to security and stability in the entire region.'

He added that the sixth priority is to demand the international community and the United Nations to 'protect Palestinians and hold Israeli war criminals accountable.'

With mediation from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and American sponsorship, a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip came into effect on October 10, 2025, as part of a two-phase plan to end the Israeli genocide war that lasted two years.

However, Israel did not comply with the agreement and continued its violations through shelling and gunfire, resulting in as of Wednesday 1,180 killed and 3,810 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

On June 8, 2026, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Palestinian factions discussed during a meeting in Cairo a roadmap to complete the implementation of the agreement and advance negotiations for its second phase.