In a bid to reinvigorate efforts for a Gaza ceasefire, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of Donald Trump, engaged in talks with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, during a meeting in Egypt on Sunday. This diplomatic encounter precedes Kushner’s scheduled discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently turned down a 15-point ceasefire framework backed by the United States. The proposed plan aims for a phased disarmament of Hamas while prompting Israel to cease military activities and gradually retreat from specific areas of Gaza. Furthermore, the plan suggests reconstruction initiatives and the positioning of international forces to sustain peace and security.
Hamas has indicated a willingness to consider the roadmap but insists that Israel must halt its attacks and withdraw to the designated “yellow line” as a precursor to any implementation. Additionally, Hamas has tied the relinquishment of its heavier weapons to tangible steps toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, a notion opposed by Netanyahu’s administration. On the other hand, Netanyahu has maintained that a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza is contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hamas, a stance that has hindered progress on crucial elements of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and international force deployment.
This meeting in Egypt, attended by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought to solidify Hamas’s commitment to the roadmap, focusing particularly on disarmament, before Kushner’s upcoming meeting with Netanyahu. Kushner’s diplomatic mission involves further discussions alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director. The renewed push for diplomacy comes amid criticism from several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, who have expressed discontent with Israel’s rejection of the US-backed plan and are calling for swift action to avoid further delays.
The diplomatic efforts are set against the backdrop of political tensions in Israel, where Netanyahu faces mounting pressure ahead of the October elections. His ruling coalition includes key figures advocating for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire proposal. As the Israeli political landscape shifts, the outcome of these diplomatic engagements remains pivotal for the region’s stability and the prospects of lasting peace.
