In a significant diplomatic move, Jared Kushner, senior advisor and envoy for the United States, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting marks a renewed effort by the US to advance a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. The engagement occurred just a day before Kushner’s scheduled talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently turned down a US-endorsed 15-point plan intended to guide the next steps of the ceasefire.
The proposed plan seeks a gradual disarmament of Hamas, alongside a cessation of Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from parts of Gaza. It also outlines a framework for reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international forces to ensure security. Although Hamas has expressed its commitment to the roadmap, it demands that Israel halt its attacks and withdraw to the designated “yellow line” before implementation. Furthermore, Hamas has connected the disarmament of its heavier weapons to progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, which is a contentious issue for Netanyahu’s government.
Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance, asserting that Israeli forces will not fully exit Gaza until Hamas is entirely disarmed. This impasse has hindered vital elements of the ceasefire plan, particularly the reconstruction initiatives and the deployment of international forces. Kushner’s meeting with Hamas, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed to secure Hamas’s agreement, especially concerning disarmament, ahead of Kushner’s subsequent meeting with Netanyahu.
Kushner is also slated to meet with Netanyahu alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director. Several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have expressed criticism over Israel’s rejection of the US-backed roadmap, urging immediate action to avoid further delays.
This renewed diplomatic initiative coincides with mounting political pressure on Netanyahu, who faces an upcoming election in October. His coalition government includes ministers advocating for a stricter approach towards Gaza, casting uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire plan.