Hamas chief heads to Cairo for talks ahead of Kushner visit

Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya is traveling to Cairo on Saturday evening to meet with Egyptian officials, according to a Hamas source speaking to AFP. This visit precedes a trip by US President Donald Trump's envoy, Jared Kushner, to the region. Hayya will be meeting Egypt's intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad, on Sunday morning.

Kushner's visit to Israel and Egypt aims to bridge divisions on a Gaza plan that has been rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan includes Hamas agreeing to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee in Gaza. However, Netanyahu has dismissed the 15-point plan, stating that Israel will not withdraw troops until Hamas has fully disarmed, a claim that Hamas disputes.

The Board of Peace, led by Kushner, hopes for constructive conversations to advance their peace plan, which began with a ceasefire in October 2025. The plan outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, but Netanyahu remains skeptical of Hamas's willingness to disarm, emphasizing the need for verifiable destruction of weapons.