CAIRO (AP) — U.S. negotiator and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner recently held a significant meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya as part of a renewed diplomatic effort to advance the stalled Gaza ceasefire. Following the discussion, Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, who is facing mounting pressure after rejecting a new 15-point, U.S.-backed road map aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
The focus of the talks is to find a way to facilitate the disarmament of Hamas while enabling Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories affected by the ongoing war. With approximately 2 million people residing in Gaza, the terms of the ceasefire and the conditions for reconstruction remain critical. Over 10 months have passed since the last major military operations, yet progress has stalled, primarily due to disagreements surrounding Hamas's disarmament.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, took place in Egypt and included officials from mediating countries such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, along with Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The purpose of this dialogue is to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table, ensuring their commitment to the disarmament outlined in the road map before Kushner's meeting with Netanyahu.
During the meeting, Hamas urged the mediators and the U.S.-established Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire to compel Israel to accept the proposed road map for subsequent steps. Notably, Netanyahu publicly rejected the 15-point plan last week, a rare act of defiance against the Trump administration and its close ally, Israel.
Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director, are slated to meet with Netanyahu amid calls from regional powers for immediate action. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia criticized Israel's dismissal of the road map, declaring the nation responsible for blocking peace efforts in Gaza. The collective statement by foreign ministers called on the Board of Peace and the U.S. to implement urgent measures to prevent any party from hindering the road map's progression.
According to a Hamas official, the group stands ready and anticipates mediators to initiate a 14-day negotiation period to establish a timetable for implementation. Central to Hamas's demands is the cessation of Israeli attacks on Gaza and a withdrawal to the undefined “yellow line” that separates territories, an area currently under Israeli control, which has expanded to about 60% of Gaza.
Israeli forces' previous statements indicated intentions to increase control in Gaza, yet Netanyahu has maintained that Israel would not relinquish any position until Hamas is entirely disarmed. This rigid stance complicates efforts for a ceasefire, as other aspects, such as rebuilding Gaza and deploying international forces to separate Israeli troops from area-controlled committees, remain stalled.
The timing of these diplomatic efforts is crucial, as Netanyahu faces an upcoming election on October 27. His political coalition includes ministers who advocate a stringent approach toward Gaza, complicating the likelihood of significant ceasefire advancements prior to the election. Additionally, the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel looms, reminding all parties of the ongoing volatility in the region.
In response to regional criticisms, Netanyahu's Likud party accused Arab states of attempting to undermine his leadership to favor political opponents advocating for concessions to Palestine, making it clear that such outcomes are not on the table.
