US Envoy Meets with Hamas in Cairo to Discuss Gaza Truce

US Engages with Hamas in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

A diplomatic effort to stabilize the Gaza Strip has been initiated by the US government, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate. The talks, led by President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” aim to safeguard the fragile October ceasefire that has been under strain since the regional war began on February 28.

Hamas representatives met with US envoys in Cairo over the weekend, marking an unprecedented engagement between Washington and the Palestinian group. The meetings follow a series of Israeli strikes that killed at least 13 Palestinians, including two boys, a pregnant woman, and nine police officers, highlighting the ongoing military presence in Gaza.

The talks are seen as a calculated tactic by the US to prevent renewed violence, rather than a legitimization of Hamas. Analysts note that Washington’s willingness to engage with Hamas reflects a recognition of the group’s significant influence in the Gaza Strip.

According to Abdullah Aqrabawi, a Palestinian political analyst, the ultimate goal of these talks is to empower a newly formed technocratic committee in Gaza to build a social base capable of challenging Hamas. The reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been attributed to this effort, rather than a response to negotiations or Palestinian pressure.

The US initiative follows Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which had partially halted mass killings and secured the release of Israeli military captives and some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas’ acceptance of a ceasefire. The second phase of the plan hinges on Hamas laying down its weapons in exchange for amnesty and reconstruction.

Source: Al Jazeera