In a bid to rejuvenate a stagnated Gaza ceasefire plan, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Hamas’s political leader, Khalil al-Hayya, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting preluded Kushner’s scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had recently dismissed a U.S.-endorsed 15-point initiative aimed at advancing the ceasefire process. The proposed plan seeks to have Hamas gradually relinquish its armaments while Israel ceases military actions and withdraws from specific areas of Gaza, alongside provisions for rebuilding efforts and the stationing of international troops to bolster security.
Hamas has expressed continued support for the road map but insists that Israel must first halt its attacks and retreat to the agreed “yellow line” before any steps are taken. Furthermore, Hamas has linked the disarmament of its more substantial weaponry to advancements towards establishing a Palestinian state, a notion opposed by Netanyahu’s administration. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has maintained that a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza is contingent upon Hamas’s complete disarmament, creating a deadlock that has hindered crucial elements of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction and the introduction of international forces.
The meeting between Kushner and Hamas included representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, targeting a commitment from Hamas regarding disarmament ahead of Kushner’s discussions with Netanyahu. In addition to Netanyahu, Kushner is expected to confer with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, director of the Board of Peace, in further efforts to advance the diplomatic agenda.
Several nations within the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have voiced disapproval of Israel’s rebuff of the U.S.-backed road map, advocating for swift measures to avert further postponements. This intensified diplomatic initiative occurs as Netanyahu encounters internal political pressure ahead of Israel’s upcoming October election. His coalition comprises ministers advocating for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting uncertainty over the ceasefire plan’s future.