Jared Kushner meets with Hamas ahead of talks with Netanyahu on Gaza

Jared Kushner, a US envoy, met with Hamas's political chief in Egypt to advance stalled Gaza ceasefire talks. This meeting precedes Kushner's discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected a US-backed 15-point road map. The plan aims for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a territory devastated by war. Regional powers have condemned Israel's rejection of the road map, holding it responsible for obstructing peace efforts. Hamas stated its commitment to the plan, contingent on Israel halting attacks and withdrawing to a defined line. The road map's implementation, including Hamas surrendering weapons and Israeli withdrawal, is currently stalled due to differing stances on disarmament and Israeli control.

U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner met with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt to advance a stalled Gaza ceasefire and a U.S.-backed 15-point road map. The plan aims for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with the future of two million Gazans and reconstruction at stake. Kushner's meeting, also attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought Hamas's commitment to the road map, particularly disarmament. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan. Kushner is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Monday, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov. Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have condemned Israel's rejection of the road map, holding it responsible for obstructing peace efforts. Hamas has linked its disarmament to the creation of a Palestinian state, a condition Israel's current government rejects.

US envoy Jared Kushner met with the Hamas chief on Sunday in a diplomatic effort to advance a stalled Gaza ceasefire. This rare meeting precedes Kushner's scheduled discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday. The objective of these talks is to revive a US-backed, 15-point road map. This plan outlines Hamas disarming in Gaza and Israel withdrawing from the war-torn Palestinian territory. The outcome of these negotiations is critical for the approximately 2 million residents of Gaza and the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the enclave, which has been largely under Israeli control for over ten months since major military operations ceased.

Jared Kushner, a former US envoy, met with a Hamas leader in Egypt to advance a peace plan for Gaza. This meeting occurred after Israel rejected Donald Trump's peace proposal for the region. Kushner also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel would not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed, a condition that led to the rejection of the US plan. Several Arab and Muslim-majority nations issued a joint statement expressing concern that Israel's rejection threatened peace efforts. Despite a ceasefire in place since October 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces have conducted strikes in Gaza, citing Hamas violations. The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023.

Jared Kushner is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt to promote a US-backed Board of Peace plan for Gaza. This visit follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of a 15-point plan that proposed Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from Gaza. A Board of Peace official confirmed Kushner will be accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov and Tony Blair to discuss concerns and next steps, aiming to accelerate progress towards a demilitarized Hamas. The plan, part of a late 2025 ceasefire agreement, also calls for Hamas to transfer power to a Palestinian government and for reconstruction efforts. The article also notes ongoing ceasefire violations by Israel and a surge in settler violence in the West Bank.

Jared Kushner, along with officials from the Board of Peace including Nickolay Mladenov and Tony Blair, will visit Israel and Egypt next week. The purpose of the trip is to advance plans for ending the conflict in Gaza, following a recent deal announced by the Trump administration that faced Israeli opposition. The group will meet in Israel before traveling to Cairo, where a Palestinian technocratic group has been meeting to discuss taking control of Gaza under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. This visit aims to demonstrate a commitment to peace and security in a demilitarized Gaza where Hamas would cede control for reconstruction. The trip comes after Israel dismissed the recent deal, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed, despite Hamas accepting the plan to decommission weapons.

Senator Ted Cruz has raised concerns about a provision in the Board of Peace's Gaza roadmap that could allocate up to $400 million to address unpaid obligations accumulated during Hamas' rule. Critics, including Cruz, fear this could indirectly benefit Hamas by relieving its financial burdens or allowing it to siphon funds. Board officials counter that the mechanism is designed to allow a successor government to maintain essential services by vetting claims individually and rejecting any that could benefit Hamas. They emphasize that there is no commitment to fund the full $400 million and that any payments would be rigorously analyzed to ensure Hamas does not profit. The Board also intends to attempt recovery of assets believed to have been stolen by Hamas.