Closed elections are being held right now for Hamas’ Shura Council. These elections will shape not only the future composition of the Shura Council, but also the movement’s overall leadership. Senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh is expected to be elected head of the movement’s political bureau — and in effect, leader of Hamas. Haniyeh left Gaza Sept. 5 with most of his family members to focus on Hamas’ fateful election campaign. This will be a new era following that of outgoing political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal.
In the past, the Shura Council was composed of dozens of religious leaders and imams, but over the years, other forces have entered the council. They include well-educated individuals and professionals from Gaza and the West Bank as well as top Palestinian lecturers from well-known universities around the world. These members keep their Shura Council affiliation a secret. The list of council members is confidential out of concern for the threat of Israeli assassination of Hamas officials. However, over time, their names have been occasionally leaked as the threat has declined.