November 15, 2025 | 08:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A report by The New York Times, cited by Anadolu on Friday, November 14, indicates that the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is planning a new meeting with Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.
Two anonymous officials stated that the date for the meeting has not yet been finalized and remains subject to change. One official added that Witkoff's primary objective is to discuss the continuation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been in effect since October.
The New York Times noted that the pursuit of this meeting suggests Witkoff is undeterred by critics in Israel and the United States who argue that direct US engagement with Hamas grants the group undue legitimacy. Neither the White House nor Hamas responded to requests for comment regarding the report.
Sustaining Direct Contact
The report reaffirms the Trump administration's commitment to maintaining direct communication with Hamas, despite Washington classifying the organization as a foreign terrorist group, as reported by The New Arab. Two officials familiar with the plan stated that the central agenda is to ensure the sustained maintenance of the Gaza ceasefire.
The working relationship between Witkoff and al-Hayya is not novel. They first met in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in October of the previous year, prior to the signing of the initial Gaza ceasefire agreement. That meeting was also attended by Jared Kushner, advisor and son-in-law to President Trump, who participated in the mediation process.
Context of the UN Security Council Vote
Witkoff is not the sole Trump administration official maintaining direct contact with Hamas. Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostage affairs, met with Hamas officials in Qatar several times in March last year. Boehler's meetings were aimed at discussing the release of a dual US-Israeli national hostage, although an agreement was not reached at the time.
This series of communications occurs just as the UN Security Council (UNSC) prepares to vote on the US draft resolution concerning President Trump's Gaza ceasefire proposal.
The vote is scheduled for Monday. The US draft faces opposition from both Russia and China. Notably, Moscow has put forth a counter-proposal that calls on the UN to prepare options for forming an international stabilization force, while omitting any mention of the transitional authority (Board of Peace) proposed to be led by Trump.
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