The United States and Hamas held their first direct talks in Cairo since the Gaza ceasefire, aiming to advance the fragile US-brokered agreement. However, negotiations quickly stalled due to fundamental disagreements over the sequence and priority of commitments between the parties.
US-Hamas Talks in Cairo
According to Hamas sources, a delegation led by senior US advisor Aryeh Lightstone met with chief Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo on Tuesday. Lightstone was accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the US-backed Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza.
These talks are part of ongoing international efforts to solidify the ceasefire agreement that was brokered in October, which temporarily halted fighting in Gaza.
Core Dispute: Sequence of Commitments
The primary obstacle to advancing the deal remains the disagreement over who must fulfill their obligations first. Hamas representatives pressed Lightstone to ensure Israel fully implements its commitments related to the first phase of the agreement. These commitments include:
- An immediate end to Israeli strikes in Gaza.
- The entry of increased humanitarian aid.
According to Hamas, these steps must be completed before any discussion can move to the next phase, which involves disarmament.
Conversely, US and Israeli sources indicate that the US and Israel are pushing for Hamas to commit to disarmament first, a proposal Hamas views as unbalanced and premature.
The Stalled Ceasefire Process
The negotiations between Hamas, international mediators, and the Board of Peace have focused on several key areas necessary to stabilize Gaza, including:
- Disarmament of Hamas.
- Deployment of an international peacekeeping force.
- Withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Despite the talks, multiple sources report that progress repeatedly stalls over the timing of these demands. Hamas and various international organizations have stated that Israel is not upholding its side of the deal, a claim Israel has denied while accusing Hamas of violations.
Escalating Tensions and Concerns
Concerns over the deal's imbalance were highlighted by a senior Hamas source, who stated that the proposal reduces the entire process to a single clause—disarmament—while marginalizing other first-phase obligations. The source noted that the proposed framework reflects a major imbalance in priorities, prioritizing Israel's security while postponing the humanitarian and political rights of the Palestinian population.
Adding to the tension, Israeli strikes have continued in the territory since the ceasefire took effect in October, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, resulting in significant casualties.
