Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his envoy, met with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting is part of a renewed diplomatic push by the U.S. to rejuvenate a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. Scheduled for the following day, Kushner was also set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently turned down a U.S.-endorsed 15-point roadmap for advancing the ceasefire.
The proposed plan calls for a gradual disarmament of Hamas, alongside a cessation of military operations by Israel and a withdrawal from parts of Gaza. It also suggests reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces to aid in maintaining security. While Hamas has expressed its commitment to the roadmap, it insists that Israel must halt attacks and retreat to the predefined “yellow line” before any implementation can commence. Additionally, Hamas has tied the surrender of its heavier weapons to advancements towards establishing a Palestinian state, an idea that Netanyahu’s government opposes.
Netanyahu, however, has maintained that Israeli forces will not fully evacuate Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. This impasse has stalled crucial aspects of the ceasefire plan, including reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces. The meeting between Kushner and Hamas was attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aiming to secure Hamas’s commitment to the plan, especially regarding disarmament, ahead of Kushner’s discussions with Netanyahu.
Kushner’s diplomatic efforts also involve meetings with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov. Meanwhile, several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have criticized Israel’s rejection of the U.S.-backed roadmap and have called for immediate action to avoid further delays.
This diplomatic endeavor comes as Netanyahu faces political pressure ahead of Israel’s elections in October. His governing coalition includes ministers who advocate for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting doubt on the future of the ceasefire plan.
