Jared Kushner Holds Rare Meeting With Hamas to Revive Stalled Gaza Ceasefire Plan

Ahmed Hassan
Staff Reporter, News Directory 3

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a U.S. negotiator, met with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday, marking a rare diplomatic effort to advance a stalled Gaza ceasefire plan, according to regional officials and media reports. The more than two-hour discussion, held in the presence of officials from mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, aimed to secure Hamas’s commitment to a U.S.-backed 15-point road map for de-escalation, which includes the militant group’s disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza.

The meeting came as Kushner prepared to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, a pivotal step in U.S. efforts to revive the ceasefire agreement. The talks are part of a broader push to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where some 2 million people remain in the enclave following more than 10 months since the ceasefire ended major military operations.

Hamas has demanded that Israel first halt its attacks on Gaza and withdraw to the so-called “yellow line” — a boundary that was never precisely defined and that Israeli forces have moved beyond. The group’s representative, al-Hayya, reportedly reiterated this condition during the meeting, according to a Hamas official speaking on condition of anonymity. The official also stated that Hamas is awaiting mediators to initiate a 14-day negotiation period to work out a timetable for implementation, which requires approval from all parties.

The U.S.-backed plan envisions Hamas gradually surrendering its weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee, which is meant to oversee daily operations in Gaza. However, Israel’s current government has opposed the proposal, with Netanyahu rejecting the road map last week in a rare public show of defiance against the Trump administration. The prime minister has instead advocated for expanding Israeli control over Gaza.

Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Pakistan, condemned Israel’s rejection of the plan in a joint statement, accusing the country of obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza. The statement, signed by foreign ministers from multiple nations, called on the U.S. and the Board of Peace — a U.S.-created body overseeing the ceasefire — to take “immediate and concrete measures” to prevent further obstruction.

Kushner’s engagement with Hamas follows a meeting in Egypt last year that helped clinch the ceasefire. At that time, Kushner, along with fellow envoy Steve Witkoff, facilitated negotiations. However, progress has since stalled over the key issue of Hamas’s disarmament.

The White House has not publicly commented on the latest talks, referring questions to the Board of Peace, which did not immediately comment. Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its stance in a statement, urging mediators to “compel” Israel to approve the road map for next steps. The group has linked the surrender of its heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state, a demand Israel’s government rejects.

The next phase of negotiations will hinge on Kushner’s talks with Netanyahu, which could determine whether the road map gains momentum or collapses entirely. If successful, the plan could pave the way for a phased Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian administration in Gaza. However, with both sides maintaining rigid positions, the path forward remains unclear.

As the situation evolves, the international community continues to press for a resolution to the crisis. The upcoming meetings represent a critical juncture in efforts to avert further humanitarian disaster.

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“Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza,” said a joint statement from regional powers.
— ctvnews.ca

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“Hamas is committed and waiting for mediators to start the 14-day negotiation period…”
— Hamas official, via ctvnews.ca

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“The road map involves Hamas gradually giving up its weapons while Israeli forces halt attacks and begin withdrawing from Gaza.”
— ctvnews.ca