List of leaders of Hamas
| Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Political party office |
| Status | Political party leader |
| Member of | Hamas Shura Council of Hamas Political Bureau of Hamas |
| Residence | Gaza Strip, Palestine (1987–2004) Amman, Jordan (1992–1999) Doha, Qatar (1999–2001) Damascus, Syria (2001–2012) Doha, Qatar (2012–2024) Cairo, Egypt (2012–2024) Gaza Strip, Palestine (2024) Doha, Qatar (2024–present) |
| Nominator | Political Bureau of Hamas |
| Appointer | Shura Council of Hamas |
| Term length | Four years, renewable (Two term limit) |
| Constituting instrument | 1988 Hamas charter |
| Formation | 10 December 1987 17 April 2004 |
| First holder | Ahmed Yassin (as the Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council) Khaled Mashal (as the Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau) |
| Deputy | Vacant (as the Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, since 16 October 2024) |
The chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau (Arabic: رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس, romanized: Ra’īs al-Maktab as-Siasi li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās), also known as the chairman of the Hamas Shura Council (Arabic: رئيس مجلس شورى لحركة حماس, romanized: Ra’īs Majlis Shūra li-Ḥarakat Ḥamās) from 1987 until 2004, is the overall and de facto leader of Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military organisation that has been governing most of the Gaza Strip since 2007. The position is currently vacant, following the killing of Yahya Sinwar by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on 16 October 2024 in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. The council leads Hamas until the next election, which was scheduled to take place in March 2025 if "conditions permit". The council consists of Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, and an unnamed senior member of Hamas.
The chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau is expected to oversee the organization and its various components, while military operations are managed separately by military commanders. The chairman serves as a figurehead for Hamas during Palestinian elections and becomes the central leader in the operations against Israeli occupation. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in foreign relations, leading negotiations with Israeli officials regarding peace processes, fostering reconciliation with Fatah, and enhancing ties with other Middle Eastern countries.