United States special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul on Wednesday to discuss ongoing efforts to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza. This meeting marks the second direct encounter between Witkoff and Hayya, following an earlier session with Hamas negotiators just before a ceasefire agreement was reached in Egypt last October. Witkoff has stated that Hamas leaders pledged to disarm during their previous talks, a claim that the group has publicly denied. The upcoming meeting underscores Washington's shift toward direct engagement with Hamas, moving away from reliance on intermediaries such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.