Jared Kushner, a key U.S. negotiator and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, held a significant meeting with the chief of Hamas on Sunday. This meeting marks a new diplomatic initiative aimed at reviving discussions around the stalled ceasefire in Gaza. Following this engagement, Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israel’s Prime Minister on Monday to further address the ongoing situation.
Now Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair and the director of the US-created Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire, Nickolay Mladenov, are set to meet with Netanyahu on Monday, according to a source familiar with the plans and a diplomatic source. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a closed-door meeting. Ahead of Monday’s meeting, several regional powers including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a statement condemning Israel’s rejection of the road map, saying that “Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza. Other signers included Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia and the ceasefire mediators.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week rejected the 15-point plan in a rare public show of defiance against the Trump administration, Israel’s closest ally.
Hamas Leader Calls for Israeli Withdrawal Before Peace Plan Talks
A Hamas official stated that the group is prepared to engage in a 14-day negotiation period regarding the implementation of the Gaza peace plan, pending approval from all involved parties. The official emphasized that Hamas is committed to the roadmap, particularly concerning disarmament, following a meeting between U.S. envoy Jared Kushner and Hamas leadership.
During this meeting, which also included Egyptian and Qatari officials, Hamas’s leader urged Israel to cease its military actions in Gaza and to withdraw to a previously undefined boundary known as the “yellow line.” Currently, Israeli forces control about 60 percent of Gaza, having moved beyond this line.
The statement from foreign ministers additionally called on the Board of Peace and the U.S. to implement immediate measures to prevent any party from obstructing the peace plan’s execution. Kushner’s discussions aim to secure Hamas’s commitment to the roadmap before he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
