Jared Kushner, serving as an envoy and also the son-in-law of Donald Trump, engaged in talks with Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting is part of a renewed U.S. diplomatic effort to resuscitate a stalled ceasefire plan concerning Gaza. Kushner’s diplomatic mission preceded his planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed a U.S.-endorsed 15-point road map designed for advancing the ceasefire’s next phase.
The proposed plan outlines a gradual disarmament of Hamas while calling for Israel to cease military operations and withdraw from certain areas of Gaza. It further includes reconstruction initiatives and the deployment of international forces to uphold security. While Hamas has expressed commitment to the road map, it demands that Israel halt attacks and adhere to the agreed “yellow line” before the plan’s implementation. Additionally, Hamas has linked the surrendering of its more formidable weapons to progress toward establishing a Palestinian state, an idea that Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Netanyahu maintains that a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is contingent upon the full disarmament of Hamas. This disagreement has resulted in delays to critical components of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas included officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aiming to secure Hamas’s adherence to the plan, particularly in regards to disarmament, before his discussions with Netanyahu.
In addition to meeting Netanyahu, Kushner is expected to be joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director. Meanwhile, several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have voiced their disapproval of Israel’s rejection of the U.S.-supported road map, advocating for immediate action to prevent further delays.
This renewed diplomatic initiative unfolds as Netanyahu faces political pressure in the lead-up to Israel’s October elections. His governing coalition includes ministers advocating for a more stringent approach to Gaza, which casts doubt on the future of the ceasefire plan.