In a strategic diplomatic effort to advance the stagnant Gaza ceasefire plan, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, engaged in talks with Khalil al-Hayya, a key political leader of Hamas, in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting set the stage for Kushner’s subsequent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently dismissed a 15-point roadmap supported by the United States for the ceasefire’s next phase.
The ceasefire blueprint suggests a phased surrender of weapons by Hamas, concurrent with Israel ceasing military actions and pulling back from certain areas of Gaza. It also outlines plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and the introduction of international forces to ensure security. However, while Hamas has signaled its willingness to adhere to the roadmap, it demands an end to Israeli attacks and a withdrawal to the agreed-upon “yellow line” before taking further steps. Moreover, Hamas has tied the relinquishing of its heavier weaponry to concrete advancements towards establishing a Palestinian state, a notion that Netanyahu’s administration opposes.
Netanyahu maintains that Israeli troops will not completely exit Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, a sticking point that has stalled crucial aspects of the ceasefire agreement, such as reconstruction efforts and the involvement of international peacekeeping forces. Kushner’s dialogue with Hamas, attended by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed at securing Hamas’s commitment to disarmament ahead of Kushner’s engagement with Netanyahu.
In addition to meeting Netanyahu, Jared Kushner is anticipated to convene with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, Director of the Board of Peace. The Israeli Prime Minister is under mounting political pressure as the country approaches its October elections, with his coalition including ministers advocating for a more stringent stance on Gaza, casting uncertainty on the ceasefire plan’s future.
Several countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s rejection of the US-supported roadmap. They have called for immediate action to prevent further delays in reaching a resolution. The heightened diplomatic activity coincides with the political challenges Netanyahu faces, as his government grapples with balancing regional expectations and domestic political dynamics.