Hamas Leadership refers to the collective key figures directing the Palestinian Sunni Islamist organization Hamas, founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. The leadership is divided between the political bureau, which handles external diplomacy and governance, and the military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, responsible for armed operations. Prominent figures have included Ismail Haniyeh (political leader from 2017 until his assassination in 2024), Khaled Mashal (former bureau chief based in Qatar), and Yahya Sinwar (current Gaza-based leader who assumed greater control after October 2023). The leadership operates from Gaza, Qatar, and Turkey, navigating internal factions and external pressures from Israel, which views Hamas as a terrorist entity. Their ideology blends Palestinian nationalism with Islamist governance, advocating armed resistance against Israeli occupation while administering services in Gaza since winning 2006 elections. They have faced international isolation, with sanctions from the US, EU, and others designating Hamas a terrorist group. Key decisions include the 2023 October 7 attacks, led by Sinwar, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and subsequent war. Allegations include war crimes, human shielding, and rocket attacks on civilians, condemned by human rights groups. Internal purges and assassinations, such as Haniyeh's killing in Tehran on 2024-07-31 attributed to Israel, highlight vulnerabilities. Financially, leadership oversees a network funded by Iran, Qatar, and donations, estimated at $300 million annually for operations. Controversies include corruption allegations within Gaza governance and ties to global jihadists. The structure emphasizes Shura councils for consensus, with Sinwar's rise marking a militarized shift post-2023.