New Hamas Leader al-Hayya Demands End to Israeli Offensive in First Speech

Khalil al-Hayya, named Hamas political bureau chief on July 20, 2026, gave his first televised address July 22. He laid out six priorities, starting with an immediate halt to Israel's Gaza offensive — a ceasefire, in diplomatic terms. He pledged reconstruction, reaffirmed a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital, and thanked nations working to end the war.