Israeli Strike Kills Hamas Negotiator's Son
An Israeli air strike killed the son of a senior Hamas negotiator during U.S.-mediated truce talks in Cairo.
Lauren Collins ·
Israeli Strike Kills Hamas Negotiator's Son Amid Truce Talks An Israeli air strike on Wednesday night killed Azzam Al-Hayya, son of senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya, in Gaza. The death, confirmed by senior Hamas official Basim Naim on Thursday, occurred as Hamas leaders engaged in U.S.-mediated talks in Cairo aimed at solidifying a truce with Israel.
Khalil Al-Hayya, a key Hamas negotiator in discussions concerning Gaza's future, has now lost four sons in Israeli attacks. The Israeli military did not provide immediate comment on the incident. This development coincides with ongoing negotiations in Cairo involving Hamas, other Palestinian factions, and regional mediators, including Nickolay Mladenov, lead envoy for the Trump administration's "Board of Peace."
The talks aim to advance the second phase of a Gaza plan, agreed upon by Israel and Hamas in October, which stipulates Israeli troop withdrawal and reconstruction in exchange for Hamas disarmament. However, Hamas' disarmament remains a significant point of contention. A Hamas official indicated on Wednesday that the group would not engage in serious discussions on the second phase until Israel fulfills its obligations from the first phase, including a complete cessation of attacks. Since the October ceasefire, at least 830 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed.