Hamas-US Cairo Talks End ‘Without Tangible Progress’ on Gaza Ceasefire’s Second Phase
Talks held in Cairo between Hamas and United States representatives have ended without any meaningful breakthrough on advancing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to two Palestinian sources speaking on Friday.
The discussions marked the first formal engagement of this kind since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025. The meeting reportedly included Hamas Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, Egyptian mediators, UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, and US senior adviser Aryeh Lightstone. The talks were facilitated in Cairo, Egypt, and focused on implementing the next stage of the ceasefire plan.
According to the sources who spoke anonymously, the negotiations stalled due to deep disagreements over key conditions. One source stated that the discussions “ended without tangible progress towards moving to the second phase,” highlighting that the core proposals failed to bridge gaps between the parties.
The talks were conducted under a broader ceasefire framework linked to a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. This framework is also associated with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on November 17, 2025. Trump had previously announced the launch of the second phase of the agreement in mid-January.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, implemented in October 2025, included a halt in fighting and a prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian groups. However, Palestinian officials claim that the agreement has not been fully respected, alleging repeated violations by Israel since the ceasefire began.
One Palestinian source described the latest proposal discussed in Cairo as “unfair,” arguing that it leaned heavily toward Israeli demands while failing to address Palestinian priorities, particularly humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The same source added that the proposal ignored key obligations Israel was expected to fulfill under the first phase, of which only partial implementation has reportedly taken place.
Since October 10, when the ceasefire took effect, Palestinian authorities allege that Israel has continued military operations and has not fully met commitments such as halting attacks and allowing agreed levels of humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies into Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, ongoing violations have resulted in 766 deaths and 2,147 injuries.
The same source further stated that Hamas has fulfilled its responsibilities under the agreement, including the release of living Israeli captives and the return of remains, despite what it described as difficult operational conditions.
On the other hand, Palestinian representatives accused Israel of continuing military activity, restricting humanitarian assistance, and blocking essential reconstruction materials and heavy machinery needed for clearing rubble and rebuilding infrastructure.
A major issue discussed in Cairo was the status of the Rafah Crossing. Palestinian sources said the crossing remains only partially operational, with strict limits on the movement of patients and wounded individuals. Medical evacuations resumed in February 2026 after Israel partially reopened its side of the crossing, which it has controlled since May 2024. Currently, only about 50 patients and companions are allowed to leave Gaza daily, while approximately 22,000 injured and sick individuals still require treatment abroad.
Another key point of contention was Israel’s alleged failure to respect agreed withdrawal lines, particularly the so-called “Yellow Line,” which defines areas of control under the ceasefire arrangement. Palestinian sources claim Israeli forces have advanced beyond these boundaries, maintaining control over roughly 53% of Gaza under the current arrangement.
The sources also said Gaza’s power plant has remained non-functional since October 2023, worsening the humanitarian situation.
According to one of the Palestinian negotiators, Israel has also demanded the disarmament of Hamas before progress can be made on humanitarian relief or territorial withdrawals. Hamas and other Palestinian factions rejected this condition, calling it unacceptable and insisting that Israel must first fully implement its obligations under the first phase.
The same source further alleged that the US delegation’s tone included implicit warnings about the possibility of renewed conflict if no agreement is reached. The talks ultimately ended in Cairo without any progress, with all parties leaving the negotiations still divided over fundamental issues.