Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump and his envoy, recently engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt. This meeting, which took place on Sunday, is part of a renewed U.S. diplomatic initiative aimed at revitalizing a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. Kushner’s involvement in these talks precedes his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously dismissed a U.S.-endorsed 15-point roadmap intended to advance the ceasefire process.
The proposed plan outlines a gradual disarmament of Hamas, coupled with a cessation of Israeli military actions and a withdrawal from specific areas in Gaza. Additionally, it includes provisions for reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces for security purposes. While Hamas has expressed support for the roadmap, it demands that Israel halt its attacks and retreat to a designated “yellow line” before any actions are initiated. Furthermore, Hamas has tied the relinquishment of its heavier weaponry to tangible progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, a notion that Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Netanyahu has maintained that a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will not occur until Hamas has been completely disarmed. This stance has impeded crucial aspects of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas included officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with the primary aim of securing Hamas’s commitment to the plan, especially regarding disarmament, before his discussions with Netanyahu.
In addition to his meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner is also expected to meet with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. The U.S.-backed roadmap has faced criticism from several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, all of which have urged for immediate action to avoid further delays. This renewed diplomatic effort emerges as Netanyahu contends with political pressure ahead of Israel’s October election, with his coalition comprising ministers advocating for a more hardline approach toward Gaza, casting doubt on the ceasefire plan’s future.