Representatives from President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” conducted discussions with Hamas officials in Cairo over the weekend, working to preserve the Gaza ceasefire amid mounting pressures from the ongoing Iran conflict, according to three sources who spoke with Reuters.
This marks the first reported diplomatic contact between the Palestinian militant organization and Trump’s newly-established international oversight body since U.S. and Israeli forces began their bombing campaign against Iran. The Board of Peace, which Trump personally leads, has been given responsibility for managing post-conflict Gaza operations.
In what appears to be a direct outcome of the Cairo discussions, Israel announced Sunday its intention to reopen the Rafah border crossing – the only pedestrian passage between Gaza and Egypt – which had been closed since the Iran military operations commenced. One source indicated this Israeli decision stemmed directly from the weekend talks.
Before the Iran conflict erupted, Trump’s Gaza reconstruction and peace strategy represented his primary Middle East policy achievement.
During the Cairo meeting, Hamas delegates cautioned Trump’s representatives that the organization might withdraw from previous ceasefire commitments if Israel continues enforcing the new Gaza restrictions implemented during the Iran war, sources revealed.
Israeli authorities closed all Gaza border points when military operations launched on February 28, citing safety concerns for crossing operations. While limited merchandise and humanitarian supplies later resumed flowing, the Rafah pedestrian crossing on Gaza’s southern border remained shuttered until Sunday’s announcement promised its reopening this week following completed “security assessment” procedures.
Previous Reuters reporting indicated that discussions regarding Hamas disarmament – intended as a central component of Trump’s next-phase planning – have been suspended since the Iran conflict began.
According to one source, Aryeh Lightstone, an American assistant to Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff, participated in the Hamas discussions on behalf of the Board of Peace. Two additional sources confirmed Lightstone’s scheduled involvement, though they could not verify his actual attendance.
Additional diplomatic sessions are anticipated this week. All sources requested anonymity due to lack of authorization for public statements.
A U.S. official confirmed Lightstone’s participation in Gaza-focused Cairo meetings during recent days, while declining to verify any direct Hamas contact. The official added that American negotiators continue engaging regional allies to advance Trump’s comprehensive 20-point Gaza framework.
Israeli government officials have not responded to inquiries about whether the Rafah reopening decision resulted from the Cairo diplomatic session. Hamas representatives declined comment requests.
Trump’s Gaza strategy commenced with an October ceasefire arrangement that left Israeli forces controlling over half the territory, while Gaza’s 2 million-plus residents remain concentrated in a narrow Hamas-controlled coastal area.
The peace initiative had shown increased progress during the month preceding the Iran conflict, including fresh reconstruction commitments and the initial Rafah reopening.
Israeli military forces have maintained Gaza operations throughout the broader regional conflict, including Sunday strikes that resulted in 12 fatalities, among them nine police personnel. Military officials cite ongoing Hamas threats and hostile fire as justification for continued attacks.
A Palestinian official familiar with the Cairo negotiations stated that Hamas believes Israel is using the Iran war as cover to abandon commitments under Trump’s peace framework. Israeli authorities dispute this characterization.
The success of Trump’s Gaza plan depends significantly on whether Hamas fighters will surrender their weapons in exchange for amnesty provisions, a crucial step designed to enable reconstruction efforts and additional Israeli military withdrawals.
None of the sources indicated whether weapons surrender discussions would feature in this week’s scheduled Cairo meetings.
