Why White House envoys cannot sway Israel’s war leader

US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss President Trump's peace plan for Gaza. Netanyahu had previously rejected the plan after Hamas accepted it. Despite Kushner's claims of a "good meeting," progress was limited, as Netanyahu insists Hamas must disarm before Israel fulfills any commitments. This stance is consistent with his position on Lebanon, which negotiators view as obstructive. Netanyahu's political strategy involves delaying negotiations and deals, as he benefits from projecting an image of strength and security by keeping Israel engaged in conflicts. Public opinion polls indicate significant support among Israelis for continued military action and occupation in certain areas, aligning with Netanyahu's base of potential supporters ahead of upcoming elections.

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, U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, met with Hamas leaders in Egypt to advance a Gaza plan. Diplomatic sources told AFP that Kushner pushed for Hamas disarmament and an end to their future role in governing Gaza. The meeting, which also included Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and other officials, aimed to translate Hamas's commitment to disarmament into verifiable steps. This initiative seeks to bridge differences over Trump's roadmap for Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deemed "unacceptable." While Hamas reiterated its commitment to the deal, the U.S. and Hamas have not yet confirmed the meeting.

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.

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.