Who is Khalil Al-Hayya, the Hamas leader who met Kushner in Cairo
Summary
Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ newly named overall leader, has emerged as a central negotiator in talks with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The profile traces his rise in Hamas, his near-misses in Israeli strikes, and his role in the group’s shifting stance during the war.
Key Points
- Khalil Al-Hayya met Jared Kushner in Cairo, marking their second direct meeting amid Gaza ceasefire diplomacy.
- He became Hamas’ overall leader in July after the killing of Yahya Al-Sinwar and narrowly escaped an Israeli strike in Qatar in 2025.
- Al-Hayya has been a key Hamas negotiator with the United States, helping push a deal tied to ceasefire, hostage release and Gaza’s reconstruction.
- The article outlines his long Hamas career, his family losses in Israeli attacks, and his support for Hamas’ continued “resistance” stance.
