New Hamas political chief urges permanent ceasefire in Gaza

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s new political chief, called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in his first speech since taking the role, Al Jazeera reported. His remarks set out the group’s stated demands for ending the fighting and addressing conditions in the enclave.

Al-Hayya called for a full Israeli withdrawal and faster reconstruction in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera. He also urged Palestinian unity and rejected displacement, placing those issues alongside the ceasefire demand.

Al Jazeera reported that the speech was delivered after al-Hayya was elected Hamas political chief. The report did not provide further details on the election process or the timing of his selection beyond identifying the address as his first since taking the post.

The ceasefire call was framed by Al Jazeera as a demand for a permanent halt to the Gaza war, rather than a temporary pause. Al-Hayya also pressed for reconstruction to move more quickly, according to the report, tying relief and rebuilding to any broader settlement.

His comments also reached beyond Gaza. Al Jazeera reported that al-Hayya called for stronger regional ties amid what it described as the US war on Iran.

The speech combined immediate demands over Gaza with broader political themes, according to Al Jazeera: a lasting ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, Palestinian unity, rejection of displacement and closer relations in the region. The report did not include details of any response from Israel, the United States or other governments.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.