In a bid to rekindle efforts towards a stalled Gaza ceasefire, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, Jared Kushner, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political leader of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting preceded Kushner’s scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently dismissed a US-supported 15-point strategy designed to advance the ceasefire. The proposal suggests a phased disarmament of Hamas, concurrent with Israel ceasing military actions and withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza. Additionally, the plan outlines reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international forces to bolster security.
Hamas maintains its support for the plan but demands that Israel halt its attacks and retreat to the established “yellow line” prior to the plan’s activation. The organization has also linked disarmament of its heavier weaponry to strides towards establishing a Palestinian state, a notion not favored by Netanyahu’s administration. Conversely, Netanyahu has declared that Israeli military presence in Gaza will persist until Hamas is fully disarmed. This impasse has stalled crucial components of the ceasefire initiative, including reconstruction efforts and the involvement of international peacekeeping forces.
Attended by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, Kushner’s meeting with Hamas aimed at ensuring the group’s commitment to the disarmament aspect of the plan, setting the stage for his subsequent meeting with Netanyahu. Kushner’s diplomatic efforts are further supported by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director, who are expected to join the discussions with Netanyahu.
The US-backed roadmap has drawn criticism from several regional nations, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, who have urged Israel to reconsider its stance to avoid further delays. This renewed diplomatic initiative comes at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu, who is facing pressure ahead of Israel’s October elections. His coalition government includes members advocating for a more stringent approach towards Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.