Senior Hamas officials gathered in Cairo on Sunday, November 23, 2025, for a series of high-stakes talks with Egyptian intelligence chiefs and international mediators, as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza hung in the balance. The meetings, which included envoys from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, were driven by a renewed sense of urgency following a violent flare-up over the preceding weekend. Khalil al-Hayya, the exiled Gaza chief and a prominent figure in the Hamas delegation, led the group as they confronted a swirl of accusations, strategic proposals, and persistent mistrust on all sides.
According to Reuters, the discussions in Cairo centered on the ceasefire agreement that has been in place for about six weeks. The truce, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, came into effect last month and was envisioned as a stepping stone toward a broader, more durable peace. Yet, as both Israel and Hamas traded allegations of violations, the prospect of renewed fighting loomed large over the negotiations.
In a statement released after the meeting, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. However, the group also accused Israel of "continued violations" that it claimed threatened to unravel the deal. Hamas called for a "clear and defined mechanism"—supervised by the international mediators—to document and halt any breaches. This demand reflected a deep-seated distrust of Israel’s intentions and a desire for greater accountability in the ceasefire’s enforcement.
The talks also addressed the fate of Hamas militants trapped in Rafah tunnels, an issue that has grown increasingly urgent. Communication with these fighters had been cut off, raising concerns about their safety and the potential for further escalation. Mediators have reportedly been working behind the scenes to resolve the situation, which underscores the tangled web of security, humanitarian, and political challenges facing all parties.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military had killed five senior Hamas members on Saturday, November 22, 2025, after a Hamas fighter attacked Israeli soldiers in Israeli-controlled Gaza territory. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the attacker crossed the so-called "yellow line"—a demarcation separating Israeli and Palestinian-controlled areas—using a vehicle that exploited a humanitarian corridor meant for aid deliveries. The gunman opened fire on Israeli troops and was killed in the ensuing shootout. Shortly after, four additional terrorists crossed the line in northern Gaza; two were eliminated, and no Israeli soldiers were injured.
The IDF responded with airstrikes across Gaza, targeting what it described as Hamas positions and infrastructure. According to Hamas authorities and health officials in Gaza, at least 20 to 21 Palestinians were killed in these strikes. The disparity in casualty figures highlights the ongoing difficulty in verifying information amid the fog of conflict. As reported by The Media Line, a US official stated that the administration believes Hamas had "breached the ceasefire earlier in the day" and expressed support for Israel’s response. The official added that while Hamas’s external leadership wants the truce to hold, it lacks real control over fighters inside Gaza—a sobering admission of the fragmented nature of authority within the territory.
Hamas, for its part, rejected Israeli claims that the shooter was one of its members, instead describing him as an unaffiliated individual—a mobile phone trader with a history of criminal activity. This denial, reported by ynet, is emblematic of the murky lines between armed groups, criminal networks, and desperate civilians in a blockaded enclave where law and order are often elusive.
Beyond the immediate violence, the Cairo talks delved into the thorny issues that will shape Gaza’s future. According to sources cited by ynet, the discussions included progress in ceasefire implementation, the fate of captives and fighters held in tunnel networks, and preparations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. This next stage, as outlined by the US-backed plan, involves the creation of a Board of Peace and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, authorized under Security Council Resolution 2803. The force would be tasked with monitoring the situation, separating warring factions, and training local personnel, but not engaging in combat.
Crucially, the talks also tackled the sensitive question of Hamas’s weapons. Israeli officials believe Hamas has delayed returning the bodies of three remaining hostages—Sgt. First Class Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak—in order to avoid triggering negotiations over its disarmament. Hamas, according to sources, does not oppose what it calls a "weapons organization process," but insists that its goal is to "preserve" its arsenal, not surrender it. The group has reportedly sought arrangements with the Palestinian Authority to store existing weapons, as the current deal prohibits storing, importing, or manufacturing new arms.
Under the proposal being considered, weapons would eventually be transferred to the Palestinian Authority, but remain under international oversight by the United Nations or Arab states. The envisioned committee to manage this process would function as a technocratic body, supported by security mechanisms and with local Gaza police forces operating under its authority. Hamas has signaled its willingness to accept "preserving the weapons" under full supervision and within a gradual process, but has drawn a clear line against outright disarmament.
As both sides jockey for position, the ceasefire remains precarious. Israeli officials argue that Hamas’s efforts to reestablish its rule in Gaza are a major obstacle to progress, while Hamas accuses Israel of undermining the truce through military actions and alleged violations. The reality on the ground is that ordinary Gazans continue to bear the brunt of the instability—caught between political calculations, military operations, and the grinding uncertainty of life in a war-torn enclave.
With the international community watching closely, the outcome of the Cairo talks could set the tone for the next phase of the Gaza conflict. The deployment of an international stabilization force, the fate of hostages and militants, and the question of who controls the weapons all hang in the balance. For now, the ceasefire endures, but as recent events have shown, it is a peace built on shifting sands—vulnerable to the smallest spark.
As negotiators in Cairo continue their delicate dance, the stakes for Gaza’s future could hardly be higher. The coming weeks will reveal whether diplomacy can hold the line, or if the cycle of violence will resume once again.