Turkish FM meets with head of Hamas’s political bureau

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Khalil al-Hayya, the newly elected head of Hamas’s political bureau, on July 29, 2026, in Ankara. Fidan congratulated al-Hayya on his election and discussed developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including Israeli settlement expansion and attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem. Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the Palestinians' "just cause" and expressed a commitment to increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza and supporting the peace process. He also praised Hamas's role in peace efforts, according to Anadolu Agency. Khalil al-Hayya was elected as the new head of Hamas's political bureau after an internal ballot where he secured 35 votes, narrowly defeating Khaled Meshaal, who received 34 votes. This election followed a leadership process that began in May 2026 and was completed after Hamas failed to settle the contest in its first round. Al-Hayya succeeds Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Rafah in 2024. Al-Hayya is a founding member of Hamas and has served as a senior leader and lead negotiator in ceasefire talks with Israel. In his first statement as the leader, al-Hayya emphasized the need to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and restore dignity to its people. He also highlighted the importance of achieving national unity and extending hands to all factions, while addressing the West Bank as a significant responsibility for Hamas. His leadership comes during a challenging period for Gaza, which continues to face significant humanitarian issues amid ongoing conflict.