In a significant diplomatic effort to reignite discussions on a stalled Gaza ceasefire plan, Jared Kushner, a senior adviser and envoy of Donald Trump, met with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting was strategically timed a day before Kushner’s scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Recently, Netanyahu rejected a U.S.-supported 15-point roadmap designed to progress the ceasefire, which has been a point of contention.
The proposed plan outlines a gradual disarmament of Hamas, with corresponding actions from Israel, including halting military operations and withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza. It also involves plans for reconstruction and the introduction of international forces to ensure security. However, Hamas has expressed its commitment to the roadmap, contingent upon Israel ceasing its attacks and retreating to a predetermined “yellow line” before the plan’s implementation. Moreover, Hamas is linking the surrender of its heavier weaponry to advancements toward establishing a Palestinian state, a notion that faces opposition from Netanyahu’s administration.
Netanyahu remains firm on his stance that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will only occur once Hamas is entirely disarmed, a condition that has stalled key aspects of the ceasefire, such as reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed to secure the group’s commitment to the plan, focusing on the disarmament issue before Kushner’s engagement with Netanyahu.
In addition to his meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner is expected to convene with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. Meanwhile, several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have criticized Israel’s dismissal of the U.S.-backed roadmap, urging immediate action to avoid further delays.
This renewed diplomatic initiative occurs as Netanyahu faces political challenges ahead of Israel’s October election. His coalition government includes ministers advocating for a more stringent approach to Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.