As of October 2025, the current formal chairman of Hamas's Political Bureau position is vacant following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, who was the de facto leader of Hamas until his death in October 2024. After his assassination, Hamas has been managed by a five-member leadership council that includes Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Darwish, Khaled Mashal, and an unnamed senior member. Among them, Khalil al-Hayya has effectively assumed responsibility for most political and foreign affairs and oversight of Gaza- related matters, acting as the de facto leader of Hamas presently.
Yahya Sinwar was the most recent official leader, appointed in August 2024 after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh earlier that year. Sinwar, considered a mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024.
Thus, the formal leadership role of Hamas is currently vacant, with a council managing the organization, and Khalil al-Hayya considered the leading figure within that council.
