In a renewed diplomatic initiative by the United States to rekindle the stalled Gaza ceasefire plan, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of former President Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Hamas’s political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday. This meeting took place just a day ahead of Kushner’s scheduled discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has recently refused to endorse a US-supported 15-point strategy for progressing with the ceasefire.
The proposed plan seeks a gradual disarmament of Hamas, while simultaneously calling for Israel to cease military actions and retreat from specific areas within Gaza. Additionally, the roadmap outlines reconstruction efforts and the deployment of international forces to ensure security. Hamas has expressed its support for the road map but demands that Israel halt its assaults and adhere to the agreed “yellow line” before the plan is enacted. Furthermore, Hamas has linked the reduction of its heavier weaponry to advancements towards establishing a Palestinian state, an objective opposed by Netanyahu’s administration.
Netanyahu has maintained that the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will not occur until Hamas is entirely disarmed. This impasse has hindered crucial components of the ceasefire plan, such as reconstruction efforts and the introduction of international peacekeeping forces. Kushner’s dialogue with Hamas, attended by representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aimed to secure Hamas’s commitment to the plan, particularly regarding the surrender of arms, ahead of his meeting with Netanyahu.
Alongside Kushner, the upcoming discussions with Netanyahu are set to include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace director. Several regional nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have voiced criticism over Israel’s dismissal of the US-backed plan and have called for immediate measures to prevent further postponements.
This diplomatic endeavor occurs as Netanyahu faces mounting political challenges ahead of Israel’s October election. His coalition government includes ministers advocating for a more stringent stance towards Gaza, casting uncertainty on the future of the ceasefire plan.