WASHINGTON – Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and chief negotiator, is slated to embark on a trip to the Middle East next week. His primary objective is to advance plans aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This move comes after a recently announced deal by the Trump administration faced considerable opposition from Israeli officials.
An official affiliated with the Board of Peace, which Trump established to supervise the delicate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, disclosed that Kushner, alongside board high representative Nickolay Mladenov and executive board member Tony Blair, will arrive in Israel on Sunday. This visit signifies a concerted effort to engage key stakeholders in the peace process.
Following their time in Israel, the group is expected to travel to Cairo, where ongoing discussions involving a Palestinian technocratic group have been occurring. This group is set to take control of Gaza according to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that has been under negotiation for several months. Meetings in Cairo are anticipated to focus on the establishment of governance and administration plans for a demilitarized Gaza that can facilitate reconstruction efforts.
The official, who opted to remain anonymous as the details of the trip are still being finalized, emphasized that the meetings aim to showcase the commitment of both Trump and the Board of Peace to "see peace, prosperity, and sustainable security emerge" in Gaza. This vision includes an environment where Hamas relinquishes its control, enabling the reconstruction of territories that have been devastated by conflict.
However, tensions have surfaced, as Israel has outright dismissed a recent deal proposed by Trump. This agreement entailed disarming Hamas and allowing Israel to withdraw its forces from the Palestinian territory, signaling a rare instance of public discord between Israeli leadership and the Trump administration. While Hamas expressed its willingness to accept the plan aimed at decommissioning its weaponry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli withdrawal will not take place until Hamas has fully disarmed.
This deal was initially viewed as a pivotal breakthrough toward resolving the conflict in Gaza. It was predicated on an October ceasefire that concluded major military operations and facilitated the release of hostages held in Gaza. Despite these advances, the agreement has encountered significant roadblocks on various fronts, hindering its implementation and the progression toward lasting peace.
Matthew Lee, The Associated Press
