In a significant development, Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and envoy of former President Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political leader of Hamas, during a meeting held in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting is part of a renewed diplomatic effort by the United States to revitalize a stalled ceasefire plan for the Gaza region. The day following this discussion, Kushner is slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed a US-supported 15-point roadmap designed to advance the ceasefire process.
The proposed plan seeks a gradual disarmament of Hamas, while calling for Israel to cease military operations and withdraw from certain areas of Gaza. Additionally, the roadmap includes provisions for reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces to ensure security. While Hamas has expressed its commitment to this plan, it demands that Israel halt its attacks and withdraw to what is termed the “yellow line” before any implementation begins. Hamas has also stipulated that the surrender of its heavier weaponry is contingent upon progress toward establishing a Palestinian state, a notion opposed by Netanyahu’s administration.
On the other hand, Netanyahu has firmly stated that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will not occur until Hamas has been entirely disarmed. This ongoing disagreement has impeded crucial aspects of the ceasefire plan, notably the reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas included participation from officials representing Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with the discussions aiming to secure Hamas’s agreement to the plan, especially concerning disarmament, prior to Kushner’s encounter with Netanyahu.
In addition to these diplomatic efforts, Kushner is anticipated to meet Netanyahu in the company of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. Several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have criticized Israel’s rejection of the US-backed roadmap and have called for immediate measures to avoid further delays.
This renewed diplomatic initiative occurs as Netanyahu faces political challenges ahead of Israel’s October election. His governing coalition includes ministers who advocate for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.