Hamas is expected to elect a new leader within days or a few weeks, Saudi outlet Asharq reported Saturday, citing sources close to the Palestinian terror group’s leadership.

However, the same sources also reportedly “ruled out holding general elections before the war comes to a complete end.”

The two main candidates are former Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal and current Gaza politburo chief Khalil al-Hayya, the report said.

Their main immediate policy difference relates to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to the sources. Hayya, who is seen as close to Iran, was said to support the continuation of “armed conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip until the war ends and the Israeli army withdraws from the Strip entirely,” while Mashaal, who is seen as closer to Qatar, is reportedly seeking “negotiated compromises to end the occupation of Gaza.”

Mashaal also supports “trying to move Hamas away from Iran” and “closer to the moderate Arab states,” the sources told........

© The Times of Israel