Israel: Military divides Gaza with a kilometer-long barrier

Khalil al-Hayya has been named the new leader of Hamas following internal elections within the organization. In his first public address after assuming leadership, he reaffirmed his commitment to continue the path laid out by his deceased predecessor. He pledged to “raise the banner high and let it fly over Al-Aqsa Mosque and the land of a free and proud Palestine,” according to reports. However, he emphasized achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an Israeli withdrawal as top priorities. He spoke extensively about the suffering of civilians in the war-torn region and vowed to advocate for their welfare. The Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip with an iron fist since 2007, provoked a brutal retaliation from Israel through its October 7, 2023 attack. Although Hayya was involved in planning the assault, he was not present during the attack itself, having recently moved to Qatar, where the external leadership of Hamas resides. Hayya’s rise to power follows a period of intense conflict and political transition within the group. Born in 1960 in Gaza, Hayya studied Islamic theology in Gaza, Jordan, and Sudan before co-founding Hamas in the late 1980s. He has endured personal losses due to Israeli attacks, including the deaths of his wife, several children, siblings, and other relatives starting in 2007. Despite these losses, he has survived multiple assassination attempts, including one in September 2025 targeting a meeting in Doha. This incident angered Qatari authorities and contributed to the eventual ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and other mediators a few weeks later. Hayya played a key role as Hamas's chief negotiator in peace talks aimed at ending the Gaza war. Additionally, he was one of five members of the interim council that led the organization collectively after the killing of Political Bureau head Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Since January, members of the Shura Council have conducted secret elections to choose Sinwar’s successor, with Hayya narrowly defeating former Hamas leader Khaled Meshal. His tenure as Political Bureau chief will last until the next regular election in 2027. Hayya’s election is likely to strengthen the influence of the militant faction based in Gaza within Hamas. Like Sinwar, with whom he had close ties, he supports cooperation with Iran and the “Axis of Resistance.” Unlike Sinwar, however, Hayya possesses diplomatic experience and connections in Arab countries and Turkey. He has engaged in reconciliation talks with the secular Fatah movement led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The future direction of Hamas under Hayya’s leadership remains uncertain. In his speech, he described the current phase in Palestinian history as “delicate and sensitive” but offered only vague assurances of perseverance. Chalil al-Haja has taken over as the new leader of Hamas, succeeding Yahya Sinwar. According to Hamas, al-Haja assumed this position following an internal election within the organization. Since Israel killed Sinwar in October 2024, Hamas has been led by a five-member executive committee, which included al-Haja. He is currently serving as a negotiator in discussions regarding a lasting peace agreement for the Gaza Strip. Al-Haja was born in the Gaza Strip and primarily resides in Qatar. Last year, Israel’s air force attempted to target Hamas leadership in Doha, with al-Haja reportedly being a primary target. Reports indicate the attack failed, although four of his sons were killed in previous Israeli strikes, including one during the Doha attack. Since October 2025, a ceasefire has been in place in the Gaza War, yet sporadic deadly attacks and confrontations continue. The disarming of Hamas, as outlined in the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, has not yet been implemented. Israel continues to control more than half of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military is constructing extensive earth barriers along the Gaza Strip, according to satellite images cited by Associated Press. Over 23 kilometers of the barrier have been built in recent months, passing through areas previously destroyed by Israeli forces. This accounts for more than half the length of the coastal strip, approximately 40 kilometers long and home to over two million Palestinians. The height of the protective walls at different sections remains unclear, with some appearing to extend beyond the yellow line marking the boundary. Israel confirmed to AP that it has constructed a physical barrier along the so-called yellow line, the area to which Israeli troops withdrew under the October 2025 ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The barrier aims to prevent unauthorized entry and protect Israeli troops and communities near the Gaza Strip. It also seeks to clearly mark the yellow line to reduce friction and prevent harm to innocent civilians. The yellow line was intended as a temporary division of the territory under the U.S.-backed agreement until a broader Israeli withdrawal occurs. However, Israel appears to be consolidating its presence along the line, raising fears among Palestinians that the line could become a permanent border.