Direct Talks Between Washington and Hamas in Cairo: US Pressure for Disarmament and Threats of Resuming War

Well-informed sources revealed a significant diplomatic development: the first direct talks between the United States and the Hamas movement in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, since the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip was reached. The meeting included a high-level American delegation led by senior advisor Aryeh Lightstone, who met with the head of the movement's negotiating delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, in the presence of Nikolay Mladenov, who oversees US-backed efforts within what is called the 'Gaza Peace Council'.

During the discussions held last Tuesday evening, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya stressed the necessity for the occupation authorities to fully adhere to the terms of the first phase of the existing agreement. Al-Hayya affirmed that stopping airstrikes and expanding the entry of humanitarian aid to all areas of the Strip are essential conditions that cannot be compromised for moving to any subsequent stages of understandings.

In contrast, media reports, citing informed sources, stated that the American side conveyed a hardline Israeli position that stipulates the immediate initiation of procedures for disarming the Hamas movement. Washington considered this demand a fundamental pillar for moving forward with the implementation of the remaining international obligations related to reconstruction and withdrawal, which was met with rejection by the movement's delegation, who deemed the demand unbalanced.

A leading source in the Hamas movement described the American proposal as suffering from a significant flaw in the prioritization of national and humanitarian issues. The source explained that the presented document attempts to reduce the entire political process to the issue of disarmament, while postponing fundamental issues related to the rights of the Palestinian people and ending the siege completely and permanently.

The sessions witnessed warning messages conveyed by Nikolay Mladenov, who hinted at the possibility of the occupation resuming its extensive military operations if the movement did not respond to disarmament demands. Sources indicated that the dialogue included veiled threats that presented the movement with two options: either accept the proposed document or face a return to a full-scale war again.

These moves come within broader international efforts aimed at formulating arrangements for the next phase, which include complex issues such as the deployment of international forces in the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of the occupation army from areas where it is still present. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the collapse of the fragile calm amid ongoing field violations and increasing political pressures.

It is worth noting that the ceasefire agreement reached last October through international mediation has not yet succeeded in ending the deep humanitarian suffering in the Strip. Talks continue in Cairo amidst an atmosphere of tension, as mediating parties seek to bridge the significant gaps between the demands of the Palestinian resistance and the security conditions imposed by Israel with American support.

The proposed plan reduces the entire process to the disarmament clause, while marginalizing other commitments and the human rights of Palestinians.