U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff to Meet Hamas Leader Khalil Hayya Amid Ceasefire Efforts

The New York Times reports that U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is set to meet with Hamas leader Khalil Hayya in the near future. This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to address the escalating situation in Gaza and to foster humanitarian and political dialogues.

This follows a previous meeting held in Cairo last October, which was noted as a rare interaction between a U.S. official and a Hamas leader.

During their last encounter, an emotional exchange took place, where Witkoff extended his condolences to Hayya for the loss of his son, Hamam, who died in an Israeli airstrike in Doha. Witkoff also shared his own experience of loss, describing their connection as belonging to a "club of fathers who have buried their sons."

The forthcoming meeting is anticipated to occur in a regional capital, amid growing international calls for a ceasefire, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and a long-term truce.

This development signals a cautious willingness from the U.S. to explore unconventional avenues in engaging with conflict parties, given the intricate political and humanitarian landscape in Gaza.