In a bid to rejuvenate the stalled Gaza ceasefire initiative, Jared Kushner, advisor and son-in-law to former U.S. President Donald Trump, met with Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This diplomatic effort by the U.S. aims to restart discussions around a ceasefire plan that has seen little progress. Kushner’s meeting occurred just before his scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently dismissed a 15-point U.S.-endorsed roadmap that outlines the next steps for peace in the region.
The U.S.-backed plan proposes a phased disarmament of Hamas, contingent on Israel ceasing its military activities and withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza. It also includes provisions for rebuilding efforts and the introduction of international forces to uphold security. While Hamas has expressed a willingness to follow the roadmap, it has stipulated that Israel must first halt its attacks and retreat to the designated “yellow line.” The group has also tied the relinquishment of its heavier weaponry to advancements toward establishing a Palestinian state, a notion that Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Netanyahu has remained steadfast that a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza will only occur once Hamas is fully disarmed. This position has contributed to the stalemate in implementing critical elements of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction and the deployment of international peacekeepers. Kushner’s discussions with Hamas, which included representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, were focused on obtaining Hamas’s agreement on disarmament before his negotiations with Netanyahu.
In addition to his scheduled meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner is also expected to engage with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, director of the Board of Peace, to further the peace talks. The U.S.-backed roadmap has garnered criticism from several regional powers including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, who have all condemned Israel’s rejection of the plan and called for swift action to avoid further delays.
This renewed diplomatic push comes at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu, who is under pressure ahead of Israel’s upcoming October elections. His coalition includes ministers advocating for a more hardline approach to Gaza, casting doubt on the future of the ceasefire plan. The international community continues to watch closely as negotiations unfold, with hopes that a path to lasting peace can be established in the region.
