Top Remaining Hamas and Hezbollah Leaders: Who Are They?

Leadership of Hamas and Hezbollah After Years of Conflict

The ongoing conflict between Israel and its adversaries has significantly impacted the leadership structures of Iranian proxy organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Over two years of intense Israeli airstrikes, ceasefires, and subsequent reprisals have led to the loss of key figures in both groups. Despite these challenges, some high-ranking members remain active, continuing to shape the direction of their respective organizations.

Hamas Leadership: A Shattered Structure with Remaining Figures

Following the Israel-Hamas War that began on October 7, 2023, Hamas suffered a major blow as Israel targeted and eliminated several of its top leaders. Among those killed were Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammad Sinwar—key figures in the group’s operations.

In Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad remains the highest-ranking member of Hamas. He is one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks and currently leads the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Al-Haddad assumed command after the death of Mohammad Sinwar.

However, the majority of Hamas’s senior leadership is based in Doha, Qatar. There, the group operates through a five-person ruling committee. The head of this committee is Muhammad Ismail Darwish, who leads the Shura Council—the main authoritative body of Hamas. Darwish took over after the death of his predecessor, Osama al-Mazini, who was killed by the IDF just weeks into the war.

Khalil al-Hayya serves as the chief negotiator for Hamas and represents the group in indirect talks with Israel. Khaled Mashaal, another key figure, is widely regarded as one of the most prominent remaining leaders. He previously led the group from 2004 to 2017 and often appears in media interviews and at international events. In February, Mashaal reiterated Hamas’s rejection of disarmament, a condition in the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Zaher Jabarin oversees Hamas’s Financial Bureau and West Bank operations. He also manages the group’s Office of Martyrs, Wounded, and Prisoners and plays a critical role in negotiations. The final member of the leadership council is Nizar Awadallah, who has been in Qatar since before the war. A long-time member of Hamas, he was close to the group’s co-founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Hezbollah Leadership: New Leadership Amid Continued Tensions

Hezbollah’s leadership has also faced significant losses, particularly with the death of its former Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut in late September 2024. Naim Qassem, now the group’s leader, took over after Nasrallah’s death. Under Qassem’s leadership, Hezbollah signed a ceasefire with Israel a month later following heavy losses in infrastructure, leadership, and fighters.

Qassem recently directed Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict against Israel, following the initiation of Operation Roaring Lion by Israel last month. This escalation led to renewed fighting between the two sides.

Mohammad Haidar, a senior security official in Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, plays a key role in the group’s military and security operations. The Jihad Council reports to the Shura Council, which is responsible for setting the group’s overall military strategy and political direction.

Talal Hosni Hamiyah, another member of the Jihad Council, leads Unit 910, a secretive unit known for global terror attacks. This unit has been linked to the 1994 AMIA bombing, the 1992 Buenos Aires Israeli embassy bombing, and the 2012 Burgas bus bombing. The US offers a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to Hamiyah’s capture.

Khalil Yusif Harb, a close adviser to Qassem, served as a key military liaison for Hezbollah, working with both Iranian and Palestinian terrorist groups. The US offers a bounty of up to $5 million for information about Harb.

Hezbollah’s political wing includes numerous senior officials, such as Mohammad Raad, who leads the group’s parliament bloc; Ali Damoush, who heads the Executive Council; Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed, who leads the Political Council; and Mohammad Yazbek, a Shura Council member who oversees the Judicial Council.

Conclusion

Despite the heavy toll of the conflict, both Hamas and Hezbollah continue to operate with remnants of their leadership. While their structures have been severely weakened, the remaining figures still play critical roles in shaping the groups’ strategies and actions. As tensions persist, the international community remains vigilant, monitoring the activities of these organizations and their impact on regional stability.