Israeli report says Hamas leader met Trump adviser in Qatar as commentators warn group is regrouping

As reported by the Middle East Monitor, citing the Israeli state broadcaster Kan, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya allegedly held a clandestine meeting with an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump in Doha. This revelation comes amid growing international concern regarding Qatar's continued role as a host for the political leadership of Hamas, even as critics warn that the militant group is using its sanctuary in the Gulf state to rebuild its military and political infrastructure. According to the report, the meeting took place in the Qatari capital against a backdrop of domestic Israeli debate over the survival of Hamas after nearly three years of conflict. Middle East Monitor notes that while the specific identity of the Trump adviser remains unconfirmed, the meeting signals Qatar's ongoing efforts to position itself as an indispensable, yet controversial, intermediary between Washington and extremist organizations. Critics cited by the publication, including Israeli commentator Avi Issacharoff, argue that despite the prolonged war, Hamas has managed to retain political control over the Gaza Strip, largely due to the financial and diplomatic shield provided by its presence in Doha. The report further alleges that Hamas has been using its time in Qatar to orchestrate the rebuilding of tunnel networks and resume weapons production. This latest development adds fuel to the long-standing accusation that Qatar’s mediation efforts are a form of 'double game,' where the state provides a platform for terrorist groups while maintaining the status of a major non-NATO ally to the United States. As of July 2026, the Qatari government has not issued a formal denial regarding these specific meetings, but the reported interactions between high-level U.S. political figures and sanctioned Hamas leaders on Qatari soil continue to draw sharp condemnation from regional security analysts and human rights advocates who view the arrangement as a direct subversion of global counter-terrorism efforts.