Hamas political leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya is travelling to Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials, Hamas sources said. He is expected to meet Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on Sunday morning.
The visit comes before a planned trip to Israel and Egypt by US President Donald Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner, who is seeking to narrow differences over a Gaza plan rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
What the Cairo talks involve
This is al-Hayya’s first visit to Egypt since he took over Hamas’s leadership in late July, according to the supplied source material. His meeting with Rashad is expected to focus on the Gaza situation and the stalled roadmap.
Kushner is expected to travel next week with Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza. The planned mission will include stops in Israel and Egypt.
Related coverage: Jared Kushner heads to Israel and Egypt amid Gaza plan dispute.
Why the Gaza plan is disputed
Netanyahu formally rejected the Board of Peace’s 15-point plan last Sunday. Under the plan, Hamas had agreed to hand its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee.
Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said the group was waiting for mediators and the US side to pressure Netanyahu’s government to follow the roadmap. Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.
Israeli attacks continue during the negotiations
Israeli fire killed two Palestinians and wounded 14 others in Gaza on Saturday, according to the territory’s Ministry of Health. The reported attacks included air strikes, artillery shelling and demolitions in different parts of the strip.
More context: Israel sets Hamas disarmament condition for Gaza withdrawal.
Palestinian official sources say more than 1,250 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect in October last year. The overall death toll since October 2023 has exceeded 73,300, according to those sources.
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