Kushner Meets Netanyahu After Hamas Talks to Revive Gaza Peace Plan

United States President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, August 17, in Jerusalem.

This meeting followed Kushner's talks with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein on Sunday, August 16. Former British prime minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, director of the U.S.-established Board of Peace, also participated in the meeting with Netanyahu. The diplomatic efforts aim to advance Trump's Gaza peace plan, which includes a 15-point roadmap for peace in Gaza and a 20-point overall plan.

Kushner's Sunday meeting with al-Hayya lasted over two hours and included mediating officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Hamas endorsed the latest stage of Trump's Gaza plan, but Netanyahu publicly rejected the roadmap earlier this month. Netanyahu insists Hamas must be genuinely disarmed of all weapons before any Israeli withdrawal. Hamas states it will not disarm until Israel fulfills its ceasefire obligations and withdraws to the yellow line.

Israeli forces currently control about 60% of the Gaza Strip. Kushner demanded Hamas verify it is giving up its weapons and renounce any future role in governing Gaza. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to demilitarize Gaza during the meeting, according to a source with direct knowledge, but a subsequent Hamas statement did not explicitly mention disarmament.

Hamas is demanding the US administration compel Israel to approve the roadmap. Kushner told al-Hayya there was no room for negotiation on disarmament, warning that the bar is high because Israel does not trust Hamas. If Hamas begins disarming, Israel's corresponding steps would include allowing the International Stabilization Force to deploy, enabling reconstruction in the Rafah area, and discussing initial troop withdrawals. The Board of Peace also seeks to accelerate humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza.