US warming up to Hamas? Witkoff seeks direct meeting with top terror leader

In his previous meeting with al-Hayya, Witkoff offered condolences for the loss of his son Himam, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

By World Israel News Staff

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is preparing for an in-person meeting with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, according to a Saturday report by The New York Times.

The report, citing two unnamed individuals familiar with the plans, said the purpose of the meeting was not fully detailed, though the Gaza ceasefire is expected to be among the topics discussed.

If held, the meeting would be the second between the two officials. Witkoff previously met al-Hayya in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in October, alongside Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, as part of U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

According to the report, an agreement was finalized during that encounter, leading to the Oct. 10 implementation of the ceasefire and the immediate release of the 20 remaining living hostages.

Hamas is designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization, and direct meetings between American officials and Hamas leaders are rare.

In an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Witkoff described the earlier meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, recalling that he expressed condolences to al-Hayya for the death of his son Himam, killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar. “I told him that I had lost a son and that we were both members of a really bad club, parents who have buried children,” Witkoff said. Witkoff’s son Andrew died in 2011 from an opioid overdose.

The New York Times reported that Witkoff intends to meet al-Hayya again soon, though no date or location was provided.

The Gaza ceasefire remains in effect despite violations attributed to Hamas, including the killing of four Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

Under the terms of the arrangement, Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages, both living and deceased, in the first phase, followed by a second phase requiring the group’s disarmament.

The ceasefire was mediated by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, with additional countries later joining discussions to support the agreement.

According to current assessments, the Israel Defense Forces control roughly 58% of Gaza.

Israeli forces are positioned to the east and along a “Yellow Line” spanning the north, central, and southern regions of the territory, while Hamas maintains control over the western areas.

Plans call for an International Stabilization Force to deploy in Gaza as an interim security presence until an alternative Palestinian governing body can assume authority over the Strip.