Hamas Chief Negotiator Khalil al-Hayya Arrives in Egypt Ahead of Talks

Hamas’s top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt on Sunday, leading a delegation set to engage in indirect talks with Israel regarding a hostage-prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza, the Palestinian movement confirmed.

The negotiations are scheduled to take place on Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm al-Sheikh, marking Hayya’s first public engagement since Israel targeted him and other Hamas leaders in airstrikes on Doha last month.

Earlier on Sunday, Hayya made a pre-recorded television appearance aired in Qatar, which, alongside Egypt and the United States, has mediated previous rounds of talks.

The Palestinian movement stated that the delegation, headed by Hayya, arrived in Egypt:

“…to begin negotiations on mechanisms for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces, and a prisoner exchange.”

Both Hamas and Israel have responded positively to US President Donald Trump’s roadmap for ending hostilities and exchanging captives. However, key details of the plan are yet to be finalised.

The Israeli delegation is scheduled to depart for Sharm al-Sheikh on Monday, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

To facilitate the negotiations, Trump has dispatched two envoys: his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, tasked with helping finalise the deal.

In his Sunday address, Hayya did not mention the forthcoming talks or a potential ceasefire. Instead, he focused on mourning his son and five others killed in the Doha strike.

Hamas’s senior officials are believed to have survived the targeted Israeli strike in Doha, which claimed six lives and drew international criticism, including strong rebukes from regional actors.