Hamas announced today (Sunday) the results of the internal elections in the terrorist organization in Gaza – and for the first time announced the appointment of a woman as a member of the Politburo. In addition, a woman was elected head of the women’s movement in Hamas.
As was reported last week, Yahya Sinwar was elected Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip. Khalil al-Haya was again elected his deputy. Nizar Awadallah, who competed against Sinwar for the post of chairman, Mahmoud a-Zahar, Ruhi Mushtaha, Fathi Hamad, Samah a-Saragh and the deputy head of the military wing, Marwan Issa, were elected members of the Gaza Strip political bureau.
In addition, Salah Bradville and Jamila al-Shanti, the only woman in the bureau, were elected to the bureau. Another woman who has been given a senior position is Fatma Sharab, who will head the Hamas women’s movement, but will not serve as a member of the bureau. Other members of the Politburo are Ghazi Hemed, Ismail Barhoum, Sahil al-Hindi, Zakaria Abu Ma’mar, Jawad Abu Shamala, Kamal Abu Awan and Issam al-Daalis.
Al-Shanti was a member of the Palestinian parliament on behalf of Hamas before being ousted by PA Chairman Abu Mazen. Members of the Hamas General Political Bureau are expected to be elected in the future.