In a significant diplomatic move, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of Donald Trump, met with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting is part of the United States’ renewed efforts to reinvigorate a stalled ceasefire plan in Gaza. Kushner’s visit to Egypt precedes his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed a U.S.-endorsed 15-point proposal for advancing the ceasefire process.
The U.S.-backed plan outlines a sequence in which Hamas would gradually relinquish its arsenal, while Israel would cease military operations and retreat from certain areas in Gaza. Additionally, the proposal includes reconstruction initiatives and the introduction of international forces to ensure security. While Hamas has expressed its commitment to this roadmap, it demands that Israel halt its attacks and withdraw to the “yellow line” as a precursor to implementation. Furthermore, Hamas has linked the disarmament of its more formidable weapons to tangible progress towards the formation of a Palestinian state, a concept opposed by Netanyahu’s administration.
Netanyahu, on his part, has maintained that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is contingent upon the full disarmament of Hamas. This fundamental disagreement has impeded crucial elements of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces. Kushner’s dialogue with Hamas, attended by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed to secure Hamas’s adherence to the disarmament provisions of the plan ahead of his discussions with Netanyahu.
Kushner’s upcoming meeting with Netanyahu will also include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. The U.S. diplomatic initiative has garnered criticism from several regional players, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, who have condemned Israel’s rejection of the roadmap and called for swift action to prevent further delays.
This renewed diplomatic effort coincides with a politically charged atmosphere in Israel, as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure in the lead-up to the national election in October. His coalition, which comprises ministers advocating for a more stringent stance on Gaza, adds a layer of complexity and uncertainty to the future of the ceasefire plan.