New Delhi, July 20 -- Khalil al-Hayya, a veteran Hamas leader, has been elected as the new head of the Palestinian group's political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year. Long regarded as one of Hamas's most influential leaders abroad, al-Hayya has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations with Israel and in shaping the group's regional alliances.

His elevation comes at a critical time for Hamas as it seeks to rebuild its leadership after the deaths of several top officials during the Gaza war.

Born in 1960 in the Gaza Strip, al-Hayya has been part of Hamas since its founding in 1987. Before that, he was associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement from which Hamas em...