In a significant diplomatic move, Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and envoy of former President Donald Trump, engaged in talks with Hamas’s political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting marks a renewed effort by the United States to revive the stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. Kushner’s discussions with Hamas came just before his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently turned down a US-endorsed 15-point roadmap designed for the next stage of the ceasefire.
The proposed plan aims for a gradual disarmament of Hamas while requiring Israel to suspend military operations and retreat from certain areas of Gaza. It also includes reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces to ensure security. While Hamas has expressed a commitment to the roadmap, it insists that Israel must cease its attacks and withdraw to the designated “yellow line” before the plan can be implemented. Moreover, Hamas has tied the relinquishment of its more formidable weapons to progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, an idea that Netanyahu’s government does not support.
On his part, Netanyahu has stated that a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza won’t occur until Hamas is entirely disarmed. This stalemate has impeded critical components of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction and the introduction of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought to secure Hamas’s agreement to the plan, especially regarding disarmament, before his discussions with Netanyahu.
In addition to his meeting with Netanyahu, Kushner is also set to confer 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 voiced criticism of Israel’s rejection of the US-supported roadmap and have called for immediate measures to avert further delays.
This diplomatic initiative takes place against the backdrop of political pressure on Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October election. His ruling coalition includes ministers who advocate for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan. As the election approaches, the outcome of these diplomatic efforts remains closely watched by international observers.