Between Awadallah and Al-Amoudi.. Hamas to Choose Its Political Bureau Chief in Gaza This Week

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Hamas is set to witness a runoff election this week for the position of head of its political bureau in the Gaza Strip, according to special sources for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels, after the competition could not be resolved in the first round, which took place weeks ago between political bureau members Nizar Awadallah and Ali Al-Amoudi.

The runoff comes amid internal competition for leadership within the movement in the sector, at a time when Hamas is undergoing extensive restructuring of its leadership frameworks following the war and the changes that have affected its political and organizational levels.

The sources indicated that the first round ended without a resolution, after several voters used blank ballots.

This mirrors a scene witnessed in the general elections for the movement's political bureau, which later concluded with the election of Khalil Hayya as head of the political bureau after competing with Khaled Meshaal.

According to special sources for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, the competition between Al-Amoudi and Awadallah has recently seen a shift in the positions of some members of the leadership bodies in the Shura Council within the movement, after Al-Amoudi enjoyed notable support at the beginning of the race.

The sources stated that Khaled Meshaal has entered the competition, and he has contacted members of the Shura Council to urge them to support Nizar Awadallah.

The sources added that Awadallah also enjoys the support of Zahir Jabareen, who is responsible for the West Bank file in the movement, while it was said that Al-Amoudi has the support of Khalil Hayya.

According to the sources, some figures within the movement believe that Awadallah possesses extensive political and organizational experience that qualifies him to manage the political bureau in Gaza during the upcoming phase, while Al-Amoudi relies on his organizational presence in the sector and his close ties with leaders from the circle that was close to Yahya Sinwar.

The same sources indicated that the recent shifts in the positions of some voters have increased Awadallah's chances of winning compared to the previous round.

The sources tell Al Arabiya and Al Hadath that if Awadallah wins, it will reflect on the balance of power within the movement's institutions, especially in light of his political relationship with Khaled Meshaal and the support of leading figures for him.

The sources pointed out that the transformations within the leadership centers in Hamas came after the defeat of Hezbollah and Iran, which created a new political reading and necessitated the adoption of pragmatic policies within the movement.

It is noteworthy that Ali Al-Amoudi is a member of Hamas's political bureau and a released prisoner, having held the responsibility of the media department in the movement before the war. His name became more prominent in managing the movement's affairs in the Gaza Strip during the period following the killing of several of its prominent leaders.

Al-Amoudi was released as part of the prisoner exchange deal concerning Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, and he was one of the figures close to Yahya Sinwar, with their relationship dating back to their years of imprisonment in Israeli jails and continuing after their release.

Recently, some decisions and administrative changes attributed to Al-Amoudi have sparked controversy within the movement's frameworks, according to media reports, while his name has emerged as one of the most prominent candidates to lead the political bureau in the sector.

Nizar Awadallah is considered one of the historical leaders in Hamas, having previously played leadership and political roles within the movement, as well as participating in significant negotiation and organizational files over the years.

Awadallah was close to the movement's founder Ahmed Yassin and to Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi and several leaders of its first generation.

His name gained prominence during the internal elections of Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2021, when he competed with Yahya Sinwar for the presidency of the movement's political bureau in the sector, a competition that required several rounds before concluding in favor of Sinwar.

The current competition between Awadallah and Al-Amoudi holds significance that goes beyond the identity of the head of the political bureau in Gaza, as it comes at a time when Hamas is rearranging its leadership institutions and internal balances after years of political, military, and organizational transformations.