PNN – Hamas has held its first talks with a newly formed US-led peace delegation, Reuters reported, as the post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza has come under pressure from Washington’s conflict with Tehran and continued Israeli attacks on the besieged territory.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, n international body — formally established in mid-January as part of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan — includes business figures and officials from various countries. Critics have questioned the panel’s authority and the lack of Palestinian political representation. The panel’s activities have largely ground to a halt in recent weeks, as some member states have expressed anger over the US and Israeli bombing of Iran and debated whether to continue working together.
The meeting, held late last week at an undisclosed location in the region, focused on reviving elements of the Trump initiative, including a long-term ceasefire and a reconstruction plan overseen by a board of directors, Reuters reported on Monday, citing sources. The talks were described as preliminary and no concrete progress was announced.
Hamas officials reportedly used the confrontation to demand the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing—which Israel had closed after its airstrikes on Iran. The resistance movement has warned that it may withdraw from the ceasefire agreement if Rafah remains closed and humanitarian access is not restored.
Despite a formal ceasefire that ended Israel’s two-year war on Gaza last October, the Israeli military has continued its attacks. The death toll since the ceasefire has reportedly reached more than 600. According to health officials in the besieged territory, the total death toll has exceeded 72,000.
At its inaugural meeting last month, the board allocated more than $7 billion for Gaza reconstruction and pledged to deploy thousands of international stabilisation and police forces to the area. While more than two dozen countries have officially joined the coalition, major Western powers have largely refrained from full membership.