Jared Kushner, serving as an envoy for the United States and also known for being the son-in-law of Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, during a meeting in Egypt on Sunday. This interaction is part of a renewed diplomatic push by the U.S. to revive a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. On the following day, Kushner was slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently dismissed a U.S.-endorsed 15-point roadmap aimed at advancing the ceasefire process.
The proposed roadmap suggests a gradual disarmament of Hamas, alongside a halt to Israeli military operations and a strategic withdrawal from sections of Gaza. It also outlines reconstruction efforts and the involvement of international forces to bolster security. While Hamas has expressed its commitment to this plan, it has stipulated that Israel must cease attacks and retreat to the agreed “yellow line” before the plan can take effect. Hamas has further tied the surrender of its heavier weaponry to tangible progress toward establishing a Palestinian state, a notion opposed by Netanyahu’s administration.
Netanyahu, on his part, has maintained that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is contingent upon the total disarmament of Hamas. This disagreement has led to a stalemate, obstructing key components of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction and the deployment of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas included participation from officials representing Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with the goal of securing Hamas’s adherence to the plan, particularly concerning the disarmament issue, ahead of Kushner’s engagement with Netanyahu.
In addition to his meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner is expected to be joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Director of the Board of Peace, to further discuss the situation. Several nations in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have criticized Israel’s dismissal of the U.S.-backed roadmap, urging immediate steps to avoid further delays.
This heightened diplomatic initiative unfolds as Netanyahu faces mounting political pressure with Israel’s elections coming up in October. His coalition includes ministers who advocate for a more stringent approach to Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.