US-Hamas rapprochement worries Israeli officials: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media + News websites
Today 11:43

Reports of a possible US-Hamas meeting spark concern in "Israel" as tensions rise over Washington’s push to implement the next phase of the US-backed 'New Gaza' plan.

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Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, speaks at the America Business Forum, Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP)

Israeli political sources have voiced concern over what they describe as a growing “rapprochement” between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, amid reports of an anticipated meeting between Witkoff and senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya.

In this context, Israeli Channel 13 reported on Saturday that Washington is pushing for the implementation of the next phase of the US-backed 'New Gaza' plan.

The report added that major disagreements have emerged between "Israel" and the United States regarding the path forward for implementing the agreement.

This comes as CNN reported on Saturday, citing two Israeli sources, that the Trump administration is pressuring "Israel" to make tangible progress toward a viable political solution. According to the report, US envoy Jared Kushner, the US president’s son-in-law, raised the issue directly with Benjamin Netanyahu during meetings earlier this week.

“The Americans want to move ahead to the next phase and close the Rafah prisoners file,” one of the sources stated.

Witkoff preparing for possible meeting with Hamas' Al-Hayya: NYT

The New York Times reported Friday that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing for a potential meeting with Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, according to individuals briefed on the discussions.

Those familiar with Witkoff’s travel arrangements told the newspaper that "the exact date for the meeting has not been set yet," noting that the timetable remains fluid and "there is still a possibility that the plans will change."

The anticipated encounter would mark an unusual diplomatic step for Washington, which does not formally engage with Hamas. However, the sources cited by the Times said Witkoff "is expected to meet soon with chief negotiator for the Palestinian movement Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya."

The meeting would unfold against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli violations despite the ceasefire declared on October 10.

While Hamas has fulfilled the main obligations outlined in the first phase, releasing all remaining living captives and returning most of the listed bodies, with the movement explaining that heavy machinery is required to recover the final ones from under rubble, "Israel" has continued to breach the truce through repeated strikes, raids, and ground incursions across the agreed "yellow line."

The Israeli entity has also failed to carry out its own commitments on troop redeployment, detainee releases, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, which was supposed to scale up to 600 trucks a day but has remained far below that level.

Adding to the controversy, Washington has thrown its weight behind a "New Gaza" scheme that channels reconstruction and investment into the Israeli-occupied half of the Strip, to be secured by an "International Stabilization Force" and overseen by a Trump-chaired "Board of Peace".

Arab and European diplomats warn that rebuilding only in these Israeli-occupied zones would entrench "a de facto partition" of Gaza and lock in "Israel’s" long-term occupation.

With the United States now pushing a draft UN Security Council resolution to give this architecture a two-year mandate, regional officials fear the move is designed to transform a temporary ceasefire framework into an internationally sanctioned system that sidelines Palestinian institutions and delays any credible path to real sovereignty.