Khalil al-Hayya Set for High-Level Talks With Egyptian Intelligence Chief
Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya is expected to travel to Cairo for talks with senior Egyptian officials as diplomatic efforts over Gaza intensify.
A Hamas source told AFP that Hayya was due to arrive in Egypt on Saturday evening.
He is expected to meet Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on Sunday morning.
The visit will be Hayya’s first trip to Egypt since assuming the leadership of Hamas in late July.
The talks come at a sensitive stage in negotiations over Gaza’s political and security future.
Egypt has remained one of the key mediators in discussions involving Hamas, Israel and the United States.
Hayya’s visit also comes shortly before US President Donald Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner is expected to travel to Israel and Egypt.
Kushner’s mission is aimed at narrowing major differences over a proposed Gaza plan.
Kushner Visit Comes After Netanyahu Rejects Key Gaza Proposal
Jared Kushner is expected to visit the region next week as Washington seeks progress on its broader Gaza initiative.
He will be accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza under Trump’s Board of Peace.
The body has been tasked with helping implement the proposed political and security framework for Gaza.
Their trip follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public rejection of a 15-point proposal announced by Mladenov.
Under the plan, Hamas had reportedly agreed to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee in Gaza.
However, Netanyahu rejected key elements of the proposal and questioned whether Hamas would fully disarm.
A Board of Peace official said Kushner and Mladenov were seeking constructive discussions aimed at advancing Trump’s wider peace initiative.
The broader plan began with the declaration of a ceasefire in October 2025.
The ceasefire reduced the intensity of Israeli strikes in Gaza but did not completely end military action.
Israeli Withdrawal and Hamas Disarmament Remain Major Sticking Points
The latest phase of the Gaza plan, which Hamas reportedly accepted in late July, initially called for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from large parts of the territory.
An early version released by the Board of Peace suggested that Israeli forces would leave areas of Gaza in phases.
Mladenov later clarified that Israel would not be required to withdraw its troops until Hamas had completely disarmed.
That position highlighted one of the central disagreements threatening the negotiations.
Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will not withdraw without firm security guarantees.
He has also expressed doubts that Hamas would voluntarily surrender its weapons.
The Israeli prime minister has said any disarmament must be complete and independently verifiable.
Hamas, however, insists that it is complying with the agreement.
Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP that the group continued to expect pressure from mediators and the United States on Netanyahu’s government.
He said Hamas wanted Israel to follow the agreed roadmap.
The upcoming Cairo talks and Kushner’s regional visit are therefore expected to focus heavily on disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals and the future administration of Gaza.
Egypt’s mediation role could become increasingly important as both sides remain divided over how the next stage of the plan should be implemented.
