On Sunday, Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump and a diplomatic envoy, engaged in talks with Khalil al-Hayya, the political leader of Hamas, in Egypt. This meeting is part of the United States’ renewed efforts to reignite a stagnant Gaza ceasefire agreement. The discussions with Hamas occurred just a day before Kushner was set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently dismissed a US-supported 15-point ceasefire plan.
The proposed roadmap aims for Hamas to gradually disarm, while Israel would cease military operations and retreat from certain areas in Gaza. Additionally, the plan includes steps for reconstruction and the deployment of international forces to stabilize the region. Despite Hamas expressing a commitment to the roadmap, it insists that Israel must halt attacks and withdraw to the predetermined “yellow line” prior to the plan’s implementation. Furthermore, Hamas has tied the relinquishment of its heavier weapons to progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, a notion that Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Netanyahu has maintained that a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will only occur after Hamas is completely disarmed. This disagreement has led to a delay in critical components of the ceasefire agreement, such as reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international troops. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought to ensure Hamas’s adherence to the disarmament aspects of the plan before his subsequent discussions with Netanyahu.
In addition to his talks with Netanyahu, Kushner is anticipated to meet with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. A number of regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have condemned Israel’s rejection of the US-endorsed plan and have called for prompt measures to prevent further postponements.
This diplomatic initiative resurfaces as Netanyahu faces mounting political pressure ahead of Israel’s elections in October. His governing coalition comprises ministers advocating for a more stringent approach to the Gaza situation, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire agreement.