In a renewed diplomatic effort by the United States to advance a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of former President Donald Trump, met with Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting aimed to address key points of contention in the ceasefire proposal, particularly the disarmament of Hamas, before Kushner’s scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has previously rejected a US-backed 15-point road map that outlines steps for Hamas to gradually disarm while Israel ceases military operations and withdraws from parts of Gaza.
The proposed plan also includes initiatives for Gaza’s reconstruction and the deployment of international forces to help maintain security. However, Hamas has expressed its commitment to the road map on the condition that Israel halts its attacks and withdraws to a previously agreed-upon boundary known as the “yellow line” before any implementation occurs. Additionally, Hamas has linked the surrender of its heavier weapons to progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, a concept not supported by Netanyahu’s government, which insists on complete disarmament of Hamas before a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The Sunday meeting, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, sought to secure Hamas’s commitment to the road map, focusing on the contentious issue of disarmament. Following this, Kushner is expected to meet with Netanyahu, accompanied by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director. The outcome of these discussions remains critical as Netanyahu faces political challenges ahead of Israel’s October election, with his coalition including ministers who advocate for a more confrontational approach to the Gaza situation.
Several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have criticized Israel’s rejection of the US-backed road map and have called for immediate action to prevent further delays. The diplomatic push is occurring amidst mounting political pressure on Netanyahu, which adds uncertainty to the future of the ceasefire plan. The international community is closely watching these developments, aware that the resolution of these issues could significantly impact regional stability.