Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, engaged in talks with Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting is part of a renewed U.S. diplomatic initiative aimed at breathing life into a stalled ceasefire plan for Gaza. Kushner’s discussions come just a day before his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently turned down a U.S.-endorsed 15-point roadmap intended to guide the next phase of the ceasefire.
The proposed plan calls for a gradual disarmament of Hamas, while Israel is expected to cease military operations and pull back from certain areas in Gaza. Additionally, the plan outlines steps for rebuilding efforts and the stationing of international forces to ensure security. However, Hamas remains committed to the roadmap but insists that Israel must halt attacks and retreat to the pre-agreed “yellow line” before any implementation begins. Furthermore, Hamas has linked giving up its heavier weaponry to advancements toward establishing a Palestinian state, a notion opposed by Netanyahu’s administration.
Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance that Israeli forces will not fully withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. This disagreement has led to the suspension of critical elements within the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and the presence of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas, which included officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed to secure Hamas’s commitment to the disarmament aspect of the plan before Kushner’s upcoming meeting with Netanyahu.
In addition to meeting Netanyahu, Kushner is set to engage with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov. Several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have voiced criticism over Israel’s rejection of the U.S.-backed roadmap, urging immediate action to avoid further delays.
The renewed diplomatic push coincides with Netanyahu facing increasing political pressure ahead of Israel’s October election. His coalition government includes ministers advocating for a more stringent approach to Gaza, casting uncertainty on the future of the ceasefire plan.