Doha, October 5, 2025: Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya made his first public appearance in Doha on Saturday since the September 9 targeted assassinations by Israel that killed several senior resistance figures, including his son.
Speaking at a press conference, al-Hayya — who heads Hamas’s negotiation team — addressed Palestinians and the wider Arab world, framing his personal grief as part of the collective suffering and endurance of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation.
“Today we live in the shadow of pain and in the shadow of pride and dignity,” he said, his voice steady as he reflected on the deaths of six individuals, among them his son Hammam al-Hayya, his office manager Jihad Labad, and other aides.
Despite his loss, al-Hayya expressed pride in their sacrifice, describing them as “martyrs for the freedom of Palestine.” He reiterated his long-standing position that the Israeli campaign in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, represents “a war of occupation backed by the United States.”
“I do not differentiate between them and any Palestinian child in Gaza killed by the occupation,” al-Hayya said. “Because all of them died due to the crime of the occupation.”
The Hamas official framed the current conflict as part of a century-long struggle against “Israeli expansionism and Western complicity,” portraying Gaza’s population as the symbol of Palestinian perseverance.
“We are part of this great family — the Palestinian people — especially the people of Gaza, who today embody the nation through their resilience and sacrifices, which are historically rare. Our cause spans more than 100 years,” he added.
Al-Hayya ended his remarks with a prayer for divine support, calling for “national victory and dignity” amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.
The appearance marked al-Hayya’s first since Israel intensified its campaign of targeted strikes against senior Hamas figures in recent weeks, prompting renewed calls from international mediators to resume talks toward a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza.
