U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff to Meet Senior Hamas Official

The U.S. envoy for peace missions, Steve Witkoff, is preparing to meet with Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator, in the near future. This meeting, as reported by two individuals familiar with Witkoff’s plans, highlights the current administration’s intent to maintain communication with Hamas, despite the group’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.

The timing and details of the meeting remain uncertain, as the exact date has not been disclosed. The sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, indicated that the plans could change. A representative for Witkoff declined to comment, and Hamas officials did not provide additional information. The White House also did not respond to requests for comment.

A key topic Witkoff is expected to discuss is the ongoing cease-fire in Gaza. In October, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a cease-fire along with an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This agreement has largely held, despite occasional outbreaks of violence.

Background on Previous Engagements

Witkoff’s upcoming meeting is not his first interaction with al-Hayya. The two previously met in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, prior to the signing of the cease-fire deal in October. That meeting also included Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, who played a role in brokering the cease-fire.

In a televised interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” on October 19, Witkoff shared a personal moment from his previous discussions with al-Hayya. He expressed condolences for the loss of al-Hayya’s son, who died in a September airstrike by the Israeli air force on a compound in Qatar where Hamas officials were gathered. Witkoff, who lost his own son, Andrew, to an opioid overdose in 2011, emphasized their shared grief, stating, “We were both members of a really bad club, parents who have buried children.”

Previous U.S. Engagements with Hamas

Witkoff is not the first official from the Trump administration to engage with Hamas. In March, Adam Boehler, the U.S. envoy for hostage response, held multiple meetings with Hamas representatives in Qatar. These discussions aimed to negotiate the release of a dual American-Israeli citizen held by the group, though no agreements were reached.

The anticipated meeting between Witkoff and al-Hayya underscores the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the region. It reflects a willingness to engage with groups designated as adversaries in pursuit of diplomatic objectives, even in the face of significant domestic and international criticism. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of such engagements will be closely monitored by both supporters and detractors of U.S. foreign policy.