Who is Khalil al-Haya, the Senior Hamas Official Targeted by Israel?

Reports have revealed that Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, was the main target of Israel’s latest attack in Doha. His name has gained prominence in recent months, but who exactly is he, and what role does he play within the Palestinian movement?

Born in Gaza in 1960, al-Hayya has been part of Hamas since its founding in 1987. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the group’s most influential figures, particularly following the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar in 2024. With their passing, al-Hayya assumed a greater role in leadership, stepping in as the top negotiator in ceasefire talks and serving as the exiled head of Gaza affairs in Doha.

Al-Hayya’s personal life has been marked by deep tragedy. He has lost several family members to Israeli air strikes over the years, highlighting the personal cost of the conflict. In 2007, an Israeli strike on his family home in Gaza City’s Sejaiyeh quarter killed multiple relatives.

During the 2014 war, his eldest son Osama, along with Osama’s wife and three children, were killed when their home was bombed. Al-Hayya was not present during either attack, but these losses have shaped both his political stance and his public image.

Having left Gaza several years ago, al-Hayya is now based in Doha, Qatar, where he has become one of Hamas’s most important exiled leaders. From there, he oversees key political and diplomatic channels, building connections with Arab and Islamic countries and strengthening the group’s international ties.

His position in Doha also places him at the center of ongoing negotiations and international diplomacy, making him a vital player in Hamas’s strategy abroad.

Today, Khalil al-Hayya stands as one of the most senior surviving Hamas leaders, carrying both the responsibility of guiding the movement after a series of devastating leadership losses and the weight of personal tragedies from decades of conflict. His growing influence in exile has made him a central figure in Hamas’s leadership—and a primary target for Israel’s military campaigns.