US And Hamas Hold Direct Talks As Ceasefire Stalls

[Mahmud]

The United States and Hamas held their first direct talks on Tuesday night in Cairo since the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire. The meeting is part of a serious effort to save a fragile peace agreement that had reduced fighting but is now at risk of collapsing.

The U.S. delegation was led by Aryeh Lightstone, who met with Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. They were also joined by Nickolay Mladenov, representing the Board of Peace, an international group set up to manage Gaza after the war.

The discussions focused on moving into the second phase of the peace plan. This phase includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the introduction of an international security force. However, progress has slowed due to disagreements about timing and security arrangements between the parties involved.

Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly said that Israel will only meet its commitments if Hamas agrees to completely disarm. But Hamas has rejected this condition, saying it is unfair and ignores the humanitarian and political rights of Palestinians. The group insists that Israel must first stop airstrikes and fully withdraw before any talk of disarmament.

Hamas officials also claimed that Mladenov warned them that rejecting the proposal could lead to a return to full-scale war. Meanwhile, even though the 2025 ceasefire reduced major fighting, it has been criticized as ineffective. Reports say hundreds of Palestinians have still been killed, and living conditions in Gaza remain very difficult, with overcrowding and limited aid causing health problems.

These talks are happening during wider tensions in the region, including the ongoing 2026 Iran War. With global pressure rising, especially around key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. is trying to stabilize the situation in Gaza to avoid a larger regional crisis. However, mediators remain doubtful that an agreement will be reached soon without major changes.

Source: