US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Jared Kushner, has held rare discussions with Hamas leaders as Washington pushes for the implementation of its proposed Gaza peace plan.
A Palestinian official told the BBC that Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, met a Hamas delegation led by the group’s new leader, Khalil al-Hayya, in Egypt on Sunday.
The meeting is reportedly the first high-level engagement between Hamas and the Trump administration since last year’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Disarmament at Centre of Talks
The discussions reportedly focused on concrete steps toward the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Trump’s Board of Peace said last month that an agreement had been reached on the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups operating in Gaza.
However, Israel has rejected the US-backed 15-point proposal, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that Hamas must be fully disarmed before Israeli forces withdraw from the territory.
“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed,” Netanyahu said.
The US plan also calls for the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new civilian Palestinian administration.
International Pressure Grows
Eight Muslim-majority countries — Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia — issued a joint statement on Sunday criticising Israel’s rejection of the US proposal.
The countries warned that Israel’s position could undermine Trump’s efforts to secure lasting peace in Gaza.
Kushner’s talks with Hamas reportedly included Nickolai Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, alongside representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, which have played key roles in previous mediation efforts.
Kushner Meets Egypt’s President
During his visit to Egypt, Kushner also met President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Israeli media reported that Kushner, Mladenov and Blair are expected to meet Netanyahu on Monday as efforts continue to advance the Trump administration’s Gaza proposal.
The ceasefire that took effect on 10 October last year remains formally in place, although Israel has carried out several strikes in Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the truce.
The current conflict began after the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
BBC
