Hamas deputy chief: A new leader will be chosen in the coming days

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Hamas Media Office
5 Aug 2024 02:04

Khalil al-Hayya praises martyr Ismail Haniyeh's life work, promising that Hamas will follow through on the leader's ideals.

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Deputy Chief of Hamas' Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya attends the funeral of the martyred leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Doha, Qatar, on August 2, 2024. (AFP)

The Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas will appoint a new chief to lead its Political Bureau in the coming days, Deputy Chief of the movement's Political Bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, said during a memorial held for the martyred leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Al-Hayya spoke on Sunday, promising that Hamas will remain loyal to the Palestinian people, martyrs, and the Islamic Ummah, by "continuing on the path of struggle, jihad, and resistance," until the liberation of Palestine is achieved.

The Hamas official praised martyr Haniyeh's life-long work, saying that his martyrdom has "given new spirit, determination, and strength to [the region's people] and their Resistance."

"He was a great leader and a devoted servant, a true ascetic, for whom the doors of martyrdom and paradise open, if Allah wills," al-Hayya underlined.

Haniyeh's martyrdom united the Islamic Ummah

Thanking everyone who offered the movement condolences for the martyrdom of Haniyeh, Hamas' politburo deputy chief pointed to the unity experienced across the Islamic Ummah, following the Resistance leader's martyrdom.

"Yes, the leader Ismail Haniyeh has departed, but the entire nation unites in praying for him. Perhaps no leader before has had the entire Islamic nation pray for him," he explained.

"We appreciate everyone who came forward and we offer sincere thanks to [those that] paved the way for presenting the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh as a cause for the nation's revival," al-Hayya added.

Hamas to appoint a new leader in coming days

Al-Hayya also told the Resistance's supporters "do not worry about Hamas," stating that the departure of the leader will not create a "vacuum" in the movement's decision-making process.

He said that decisions are managed through its institutions, stressing the goodwill expressed in recently internally held meetings.

"Within days we will complete our consultations to choose a new leader for this movement, to continue on Ismail's path, following the path of Sheikh (Ahmad Yassin) and the martyrs of our Palestinian people," al-Hayya concluded.

Martyr Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by the Israeli regime while staying at his residence in northern Tehran, Iran after he attended the inauguration of the newly-elected Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

Multiple factions in the Axis of Resistance, including Iran, pledged a stern response to the Israeli crime.

The leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, said that "Israel" has "brought upon itself the most severe punishment," following the assassination.

Sayyed Khamenei stressed that retribution for Haniyeh's blood is "Iran's duty because he was martyred on our soil," adding that Haniyeh's assassination, who was a guest in Iran, "also set the ground for [the enemy's] harsh punishment upon itself."