US–Hamas Rapprochement? Israel Alarmed by Possible Witkoff–Hayya Meeting

Israeli political sources say they are worried about what they call a growing “rapprochement” between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas. Reports suggest Witkoff may soon meet senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya.

Israeli Channel 13 reported that Washington is pushing to move to the next phase of the US-backed “New Gaza” plan, but major disagreements have appeared between the US and Israel over how to proceed.

According to CNN, the Trump administration is pressuring Israel to show real progress toward a political solution. US envoy Jared Kushner reportedly raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week. One Israeli source told CNN the US wants to “move ahead to the next phase and close the Rafah prisoners file.”

The New York Times also reported that Witkoff is preparing for a potential meeting with al-Hayya. People familiar with his travel plan say the date is not confirmed and may still change. If the meeting happens, it would be a rare step for Washington, which does not officially deal with Hamas.

The expected talks come as Israeli forces continue violations despite the October 10 ceasefire. Hamas says it has completed the main tasks of the first phase—releasing all remaining living captives and returning most bodies—while explaining that heavy machinery is needed to recover the last bodies trapped under rubble.

Israel, however, has not fulfilled its commitments on troop redeployment, detainee releases, or increasing humanitarian aid. The aid delivery was supposed to reach 600 trucks a day, but the actual number remains far lower.

Adding more controversy, the US is pushing a “New Gaza” reconstruction plan that focuses only on areas currently occupied by Israel. These zones would be run by an “International Stabilization Force” and a Trump-led “Board of Peace.”

Arab and European officials warn that rebuilding only in Israeli-controlled areas could create a de facto partition of Gaza and strengthen long-term occupation.

The US is now pushing a draft UN Security Council resolution to give this plan a two-year mandate. Regional diplomats fear this could turn a temporary ceasefire into an international system that sidelines Palestinian institutions and delays any real path to sovereignty.