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

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: New York Times
14 Nov 2025 22:39
1 Shares

A potential US–Hamas meeting comes amid ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations and growing backlash against Washington's push to impose a controversial "New Gaza" plan.

Listen

Reports have surfaced on a potential meeting between Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya (L) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (R) (AP collage)

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 committed despite the ceasefire.

Partition Agenda

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 regime has also failed to carry out its own commitments on troop redeployment, prisoner 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-controlled 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-held zones would entrench a de facto partition of Gaza and lock in "Israel’s" long-term dominance.

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.