On Sunday, Jared Kushner, an envoy and son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Khalil al-Hayya, the political chief of Hamas, in Egypt. This meeting is part of a renewed U.S. diplomatic initiative aimed at revitalizing a stalled ceasefire plan for Gaza. Scheduled to meet the following day with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kushner’s efforts are focused on advancing the proposed ceasefire road map, which Netanyahu recently turned down. The plan includes a gradual disarmament of Hamas, an end to Israeli military operations, and a partial withdrawal from Gaza, coupled with rebuilding efforts and international forces being deployed to maintain peace.
Despite the outlined plan, Hamas has stipulated that Israel must cease its attacks and retreat to the previously agreed “yellow line” before the road map can be implemented. Furthermore, Hamas’ willingness to relinquish its heavier weapons is tied to advancements toward establishing a Palestinian state, a concept that Netanyahu’s administration opposes. Netanyahu, on the other hand, maintains that the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hamas, leading to a deadlock in the progression of the ceasefire plan, including essential rebuilding and the introduction of international peacekeepers.
Kushner’s initiative, attended by officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, seeks to secure Hamas’ commitment to the disarmament aspect of the plan. This diplomatic engagement is occurring just ahead of Kushner’s planned discussions with Netanyahu, where he will be joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace. The goal is to resolve critical issues and advance the ceasefire process.
Calls for immediate action have emerged from several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, expressing disapproval of Israel’s dismissal of the U.S.-endorsed road map. They emphasize the need to avoid further delays in the peace process. As Netanyahu contends with political pressures in the run-up to Israel’s October election, the future of the ceasefire plan remains uncertain due to the influence of coalition ministers advocating for a more aggressive stance on Gaza.