The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has begun the process of selecting a new leader. The last internal elections of the Hamas were held in 2017, when Ismail Haniyeh was elected as the movement’s politburo chief, succeeding Khaled Mashal, who had chaired the movement for eight years. The elections hold every four years and are usually not public due to considerations of security in Palestine. 

Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, has said the elections are held in a way that makes it possible for their people to select their representatives in all locations. The group holds its internal elections in three regions; the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and in the diaspora.

The process is expected to be completed by the end of March, in time to prepare for the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections that will be taking place on the 22nd of May and the 31st of July, respectively, while National Council elections will hold in August.

Why This Matters 

Domiciled in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Hamas which was founded in 1987 to resist Israeli occupation of the region has grown to become not only one of the biggest resistance movements but one that influences policy and politics in Palestine.

Its ideology that Palestine is an Islamic homeland that can never be surrendered to non-Muslims has but it is at extremes with other liberal nationalist groups like the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) which recognises Isreal’s right to exist. 

In 2006, Hamas leaders began to consider accepting the agreements between Israel and the PA after participating in the legislative election and winning a surprise victory over the Palestine National Liberation Movement (Fatah) which had more control of parliament then. While it still has control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Hamas is struggling to maintain power after several sanctions from the Israeli government and the PA. These elections will determine what the future of the group would be and if its new leader can help put them secure large support in the coming Palestinian elections.  

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