By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official targeted by Israel in Qatar on Tuesday, has become an increasingly central figure in the leadership of the Palestinian militant group since both Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar were killed last year.

Israeli officials told Reuters the attack was aimed at top Hamas leaders including Hayya, its exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator. Two Hamas sources told Reuters the group's ceasefire negotiation delegation in Doha survived the attack.

At the heart of ceasefire negotiations during the war that erupted two years ago, Hayya has been widely seen as the group's most influential figure abroad since Haniyeh was killed by Israel in Iran in July 2024.

He is part of a five-man leadership council that has led Hamas since Sinwar was killed by Israel last October in Gaza.

Hailing from the Gaza Strip, Hayya has lost........

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