US and Hamas hold direct talks in Cairo to advance Gaza ceasefire

Egypt. Direct talks have been held between the US and Hamas for the first time since the ceasefire in Gaza. According to sources, these talks were conducted as an effort to advance the fragile agreement brokered by the US. 

It is reported that a team led by senior US advisor Aryeh Lightstone met with Hamas's chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo on Tuesday night. Along with Lightstone, high-level representative of the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, also participated in the talks. 

During the discussions, al-Hayya emphasized that Israel must fully implement commitments made under the first phase of the ceasefire, such as halting airstrikes and increasing humanitarian aid. 

He stated that only after these steps can the next phase proceed. While the ceasefire reached last October ended a two-year-long war in Gaza, significant questions regarding the future of Hamas's governance or security role remain unanswered. Currently, Hamas has regained control over parts of Gaza, while the Israeli military continues to conduct sporadic attacks. 

Meanwhile, Lightstone recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged Israel to fulfill the conditions of the first phase. According to sources, Israel has signaled that it will fully implement those conditions only if Hamas agrees to disarm. 

The next phase of talks includes the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of international security forces in Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. However, Hamas has maintained its stance that Israel must fulfill its commitments first, which has caused the talks to be repeatedly stalled.