Hamas’s new leader calls for permanent Gaza ceasefire

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that Khalil al-Hayya, newly elected as Hamas’s political chief, used his first speech in the role to call for an enduring halt to the war in Gaza. According to the outlet, al-Hayya said any settlement should include a complete Israeli pullout from Gaza and quicker rebuilding of the territory.

The remarks, published on 22 July 2026, also included appeals for Palestinian unity and opposition to the displacement of Palestinians, Al Jazeera said. The report added that al-Hayya called for deeper regional ties at a time it described as being amid the US war on Iran. The available article text does not provide details on where the speech was delivered, the process by which al-Hayya was chosen, or any immediate response from Israel, the United States or other mediators.

The comments matter because Hamas’s political leadership is central to any negotiations over Gaza, including ceasefire terms, withdrawals, reconstruction arrangements and wider Palestinian political coordination. Al-Hayya’s stated priorities, as reported, point to demands that have been recurring elements in discussions over ending the conflict.

For context, Hamas is a Palestinian movement with political and armed wings and has been a principal party to the Gaza war with Israel. Ceasefire diplomacy has often involved regional and international actors, while reconstruction in Gaza would likely require major funding, security arrangements and access for humanitarian and building supplies. Those broader implications are context; the core reported development is al-Hayya’s first speech as Hamas political chief and his call for a permanent ceasefire.