What's happened
US envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul to discuss Gaza ceasefire, disarmament, and ongoing violence. The meeting follows previous talks and signals US intent to keep communication open with Hamas despite its terrorist designation. Regional tensions and diplomatic efforts continue.
What's behind the headline?
The US's decision to engage directly with Hamas through Witkoff signals a strategic shift towards pragmatic diplomacy, prioritizing ceasefire stability over outright disarmament. This approach aims to prevent further escalation and foster conditions for long-term peace, but it risks legitimizing Hamas's political role. The meetings in Cairo and Istanbul underscore regional powers' influence, with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey acting as mediators. The US's willingness to maintain dialogue despite Hamas's terrorist label suggests a recognition that sustainable peace requires engagement, not isolation. However, Israel remains skeptical, insisting on Hamas disarmament before further steps. The upcoming UN Security Council vote on Trump's Gaza peace plan will test international support for these efforts, with potential implications for regional security and US influence. The focus on de-escalation and negotiations indicates that the next phase of the conflict will likely involve complex compromises, balancing regional interests and security concerns.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Witkoff's planned Istanbul meeting reflects US efforts to keep channels open with Hamas, despite its terrorist designation, emphasizing ongoing regional diplomacy. The New Arab highlights that Witkoff's previous meetings with Hamas officials, including Khalil al-Hayya, are part of a broader US strategy to influence Gaza's future and maintain ceasefire stability. Both sources note the regional context, with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey playing key roles in mediating and ensuring compliance with ceasefire agreements. While The Times of Israel emphasizes the US's pragmatic engagement, The New Arab discusses the controversy surrounding US-Hamas contacts and their implications for regional legitimacy and security. The contrasting perspectives underscore the delicate balance between diplomacy and security in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
How we got here
The US has been actively involved in mediating the Gaza conflict, with multiple meetings between US officials and Hamas representatives. Despite Hamas's designation as a terrorist organization, the US continues diplomatic contacts to support ceasefire implementation, disarmament, and regional stability. The recent meetings in Cairo and Turkey highlight ongoing efforts to coordinate between Israel, Hamas, and regional actors, amid complex negotiations over Gaza's future and the release of hostages.
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Common question
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Why is the US meeting with Hamas now?
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Khalil al-Hayya is a senior Hamas official who was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council on 25 January 2006 as a representative of Gaza City. He resides in the neighborhood of Shuja'iyya.
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Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor and landlord based in New York City, and founder of the Witkoff Group.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Jared Corey Kushner is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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Isaac 'Bougie' Herzog is an Israeli politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 2003 and 2018 and held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Welfare and Social Services.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.