In a fresh initiative to revive stalled efforts towards a Gaza ceasefire, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, during a meeting in Egypt on Sunday. This diplomatic endeavor is part of a broader U.S.-led effort aimed at revitalizing a delayed ceasefire plan for the region. The meeting occurred just a day before Kushner was set to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed a 15-point roadmap backed by the U.S. to advance the ceasefire agreement.
The proposed roadmap suggests that Hamas should gradually disarm while Israel ceases its military activities and retreats from certain areas of Gaza. Additionally, the plan outlines reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international forces to ensure security. Despite agreeing to the roadmap in principle, Hamas insists that Israel must halt its attacks and retreat to a designated “yellow line” before any steps are taken toward implementation. Furthermore, Hamas has tied the relinquishment of its heavier weaponry to advancements towards establishing a Palestinian state, a concept Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Netanyahu has maintained that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is contingent upon the full disarmament of Hamas, a condition that has impeded progress on crucial components of the ceasefire arrangement, such as reconstruction efforts and the involvement of international forces. Kushner’s meeting, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought to secure Hamas’s agreement to the plan, particularly focusing on the disarmament issue, prior to his discussions with Netanyahu.
Kushner is also scheduled to meet with Netanyahu, alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Director of the Board of Peace. The diplomatic push has garnered reactions from several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, who have criticized Israel’s rejection of the U.S.-sponsored roadmap and urged prompt measures to avert further delays.
This renewed diplomatic effort comes amid political pressure on Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October elections. His governing coalition comprises ministers who advocate for a more stringent approach to Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.