Report: Witkoff Intends to Meet Khalil Hayyeh Soon

SadaNews - The "New York Times" reported last night, quoting two informed sources, that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff intends to meet with Khalil Hayyeh, the chief negotiator of the Palestinian "Hamas" movement, soon.

Days ago, U.S. mediators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as attention shifted to the second and more complex phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, amidst a crisis concerning a group of "Hamas" fighters who are still holed up in the tunnels.

The meeting between Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and Netanyahu comes a month after reaching a truce under pressure from the United States and regional countries on Israel and "Hamas" to end the devastating two-year war.

However, progress in the ceasefire plan will require not only the agreement of both sides on the issues that have thwarted previous peace efforts but also the resolution of the crisis concerning the "Hamas" fighters holed up in the tunnels.

According to the "Reuters" news agency, the Israeli government's spokesperson said that Netanyahu and Kushner discussed the disarmament of "Hamas," the demilitarization of Gaza, and ensuring that the movement does not play a role in governing the region—all of which are issues slated to be resolved in the next phase of the truce talks.

A source familiar with the details of the meeting stated that it highlighted the issues of the fighters holed up in the tunnels and the anticipated international stabilization force in Gaza outlined in Trump's plan.

There are about 200 "Hamas" fighters inside the tunnels in Rafah, which the Israeli army still controls. "Hamas" is demanding their release, which Israel has so far refused.

Last week, Witkoff described efforts to resolve the crisis by allowing a safe passage for the fighters to return to "Hamas"-controlled areas in Gaza in exchange for handing over their weapons as a test for future steps toward implementing the ceasefire plan.