US Official Meets Hamas Leader Amid Talks to Disarm Terror Group in Gaza
In recent months, a US government official, Aryeh Lightstone, has held meetings with Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip. These discussions occurred against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations aimed at disarming Hamas. Lightstone serves dual roles as an advisor to US envoy Steve Witkoff and to President Donald Trump's Peace Council. Witkoff had previously met al-Hayya directly during talks focused on ending the war and securing the release of hostages.
Israeli sources confirmed awareness of Lightstone's meetings, describing them as part of dialogue led by Nikolay Mladenov, head of the UN Peace Council. However, Hamas has taken a tougher stance recently, with talks regressing to debates over what constitutes heavy versus light weaponry under the disarmament plan. A Peace Council official stated that multiple negotiation rounds have aimed to establish a roadmap for weapons disarmament in Gaza, continuing diplomatic efforts to promote governance, rule of law, security, reconstruction, and economic development.
Meanwhile, senior Israeli military intelligence and Southern Command officers warned last week that Hamas is rearming and preparing for renewed conflict. They reported Hamas produces hundreds of explosives and anti-tank missiles monthly, recruits young militants aged 18 to 22, conducts training for special forces, smuggles drones and communication equipment from Sinai, and rebuilds underground infrastructure. Israeli officials conveyed to the Americans that Hamas remains strong and unwilling to relinquish control of Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces advocate resuming military operations, but Washington opposes this, preferring to maintain the current ceasefire arrangement while pursuing the Trump administration's vision and the Peace Council's goals. Additionally, reports indicate that French government representatives have secretly met with Hamas officials, and Iran is attempting to link the Palestinian arena to its negotiations with the US.