Following polls held in the Gaza Strip and Qatar's capital city Doha, İsmail Haniya has been decleared the new leader of Hamas's political bureau. In an extraordinary effort, Hamas voted via video conference simultaneously between Gaza and Doha.
The top contenders included former prime minister İsmail Haniyeh and senior Hamas leaders Moussa Abu Marzouk and Mohammed Nazzal. However, Haniya emerged victorious and Khaled Meshaal, the movement's former political leader confirmed the transition.
Unlike Meshaal, Mr Haniya is expected to remain in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian enclave run by Hamas since 2007. The announcement on satuday came just days after Hamas unveiled a more moderate stance towards Israel.
Additionally, Haniya is expected to repair the situation by proposing a reconciliation agreement with Hamas's main palestinian rival Fatah, as he resides in Gaza.
