In a renewed effort to advance peace efforts in Gaza, Jared Kushner, a senior aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, met with Hamas’s political chief, Khalil al-Hayya, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting comes amid attempts to revive a stalled ceasefire plan in the region. Kushner’s diplomatic engagements aim to secure Hamas’s agreement to the U.S.-backed proposal, which includes a gradual disarmament of Hamas in exchange for Israel halting military actions and withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza. The plan also outlines reconstruction efforts and the involvement of international forces to ensure security.
Kushner’s diplomatic tour precedes his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed the proposed 15-point roadmap. Netanyahu’s government opposes the disarmament conditions tied to progress towards a Palestinian state, a stipulation Hamas insists on before surrendering its heavier weapons. This opposition has led to a standstill in implementing key components of the ceasefire, such as reconstruction and deploying international peacekeeping forces.
The meeting in Egypt also included officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, who are involved in facilitating the peace talks. The focus was on persuading Hamas to commit to the disarmament terms ahead of Kushner’s discussions with Netanyahu. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, director of the Board of Peace, are also expected to join Kushner in discussions with the Israeli leadership.
Israel’s rejection of the U.S.-endorsed roadmap has drawn criticism from several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. These nations have called for immediate measures to prevent further delays in the peace process. The diplomatic push gains urgency as Netanyahu faces mounting political pressure domestically, especially with elections looming in October. His coalition government, which includes ministers favoring a more hardline approach to Gaza, adds complexity to the future of the ceasefire plan.