Hamas negotiator heads to Cairo as Kushner prepares for Gaza talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the proposed 15-point plan, while military operations continue across Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Hamas political leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has travelled to Cairo to hold talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, marking his first visit to Egypt since assuming leadership in late July. The discussions are scheduled for Sunday morning and occur against the backdrop of a planned visit by US envoy Jared Kushner to the region.
Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, is set to travel to Israel and Egypt next week to narrow differences over a 15-point Gaza plan proposed by the Board of Peace. He will be accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the Board’s high representative for Gaza. The diplomatic push follows the public dismissal of the plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that Israeli forces would not withdraw until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed”.
The proposed framework involves Hamas handing over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee. In response to the stalemate, Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim told AFP on Friday that the group is awaiting pressure from mediators and the US to compel the Israeli government to abide by the agreed roadmap.
Tensions remain high regarding the implementation of the June ceasefire framework. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared this week that troops would remain in occupied “security zones” in Lebanon and Syria, indicating a continued military presence across all three fronts. This stance contrasts with views from US State Department officials, who have indicated that a permanent Israeli military presence in these zones is inconsistent with the deal’s commitments.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations have continued in Gaza. On Saturday, air strikes, artillery shelling and demolitions resulted in two Palestinian deaths and 14 injuries, according to the territory’s Ministry of Health. Palestinian official sources report that more than 1,250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect in October last year, with the overall death toll since October 2023 exceeding 73,300.
