Honestly, if you ask three different people "who is Palestinian leader," you might get four different answers. It’s a mess. Most folks just want a name to put on a headline, but the reality on the ground in early 2026 is a weird, fractured puzzle of aging presidents, interim deputies, and technocrats in Cairo.
Mahmoud Abbas is still technically the guy. At 90 years old, he’s the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He’s been in power since 2005—even though his original four-year term ended roughly when the first iPhone was becoming a big deal. He lives in the Muqata'a in Ramallah, and for the international community, he is the "official" face. But it’s complicated because his popularity at home is, well, not great.
The Succession Shake-up You Probably Missed
Just this month, things got real. On January 16, 2026, Abbas finally did something he’s avoided for decades: he named a clear successor. He officially appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as his deputy. This is huge. For years, people worried that if Abbas passed away, there’d be a total power vacuum or even a civil war.
Al-Sheikh is now the Vice President of both the PLO Executive Committee and the State of Palestine. Basically, if Abbas steps down or can’t do the job, al-Sheikh takes the keys for 90 days. In that time, they are supposed to hold "free and direct elections." Whether those actually happen is the million-dollar question, but at least there's a name on the door now.
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Who is Palestinian leader in Gaza right now?
Gaza is a whole different story. After years of Hamas rule and the devastating war following October 2023, the leadership structure there is undergoing a massive, U.S.-backed experiment. Hamas is largely sidelined in terms of formal governance, following the death of Yahya Sinwar in late 2024.
Currently, a group called the National Committee for the Management of Gaza (NCAG) has started running the show. This isn't a political party; it’s a "technocratic" body. That’s just a fancy word for a committee of experts—engineers, doctors, and economists—who aren't supposed to be politicians.
- Dr. Ali Shaath is the man leading this committee. He’s an engineer and former PA official.
- They are working out of Cairo for now but are moving operations into Gaza to handle reconstruction.
- They answer to a "Peace Council" overseen by the Trump administration and involve regional partners like Egypt and Qatar.
So, if you’re looking for who is Palestinian leader in the sense of who is actually fixing the pipes and handing out aid in Gaza, it’s Shaath and his team, not the politicians in Ramallah.
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The Barghouti Factor: The Leader in a Cell
You can't talk about Palestinian leadership without mentioning Marwan Barghouti. He’s often called the "Palestinian Mandela." He’s been in an Israeli prison since 2002, serving multiple life sentences.
Here is the kicker: in almost every poll, if Barghouti were allowed to run for president, he would win by a landslide. He’s seen as a unifying figure who isn't tainted by the corruption allegations that follow the PA. Even though he’s behind bars, he’s arguably the most influential "leader" in terms of what the people actually want. His wife, Fadwa, has been incredibly active lately, pushing for his release as part of the broader 2026 "Year of Democracy" push that Abbas recently announced.
What’s actually happening in 2026?
Abbas just declared that 2026 will be the "Year of Palestinian Democracy." We've heard this before, but there are actual dates on the calendar now. Local council elections are slated for April, with a big Fatah conference to follow.
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The goal is to eventually hold general elections that include Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It sounds great on paper, but the logistics are a nightmare. You've got the PA trying to reassert control, the technocratic committee in Gaza trying to rebuild from rubble, and Israel still maintaining security control over large swaths of the territory.
Key Figures to Watch
- Hussein al-Sheikh: The "heir apparent" who handles security coordination with Israel. He’s got the title, but he’s fighting a reputation for being too close to the status quo.
- Mohammad Mustafa: The current Prime Minister. He’s an economist who focuses on the "boring" stuff like keeping the PA from going bankrupt, which is a nearly impossible task.
- Jibril Rajoub: A heavy hitter in the Fatah party with a strong base in Hebron. He’s a former security chief who often clashes with the current leadership.
- Ali Shaath: The engineer-in-chief in Gaza. His success or failure over the next six months will determine if Gaza remains under "committee" rule or returns to PA control.
The Actionable Reality
If you’re following this because you want to understand where the region is headed, look past the titles. The real power struggle isn't just about who sits in the president's chair; it's about who can actually deliver services and security.
Watch the April 2026 local elections. If they actually happen and include Gaza, it’s a sign that the "technocratic" phase is ending and a new political era is starting. If they get delayed—which has happened plenty of times since 2006—then the answer to "who is Palestinian leader" will remain "an aging administration in the West Bank and a temporary committee in Gaza."
The best way to stay informed is to track the "Succession Decree" updates from the Wafa news agency and the progress of the NCAG in Gaza. These two tracks are the only things that matter for the immediate future of Palestinian governance.