WASHINGTOM DC- U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Jared Kushner, held high-level discussions with representatives of Hamas in Egypt on Sunday to review the execution of a U.S.-backed initiative for the Gaza Strip.
Diplomatic Push and High-Level Talks
According to a Palestinian official, Kushner met with a delegation headed by Hamas’s new leader, Khalil al-Hayya.
The diplomatic engagement also included Board of Peace envoys Nickolay Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, alongside mediator representatives from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar.
While no official statement has been issued, the dialogue centered on practical steps toward decommissioning militant arms, organizing an Israeli military withdrawal, and accelerating humanitarian relief operations.
Following the talks in Egypt, Kushner also held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Israeli media reports indicate that Kushner, Mladenov, and Blair are scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Friction Over the 15-Point Peace Plan
The diplomatic push follows an announcement last month by Trump's Board of Peace—an international body originally formed for Gaza before expanding its scope—detailing an agreement targeting the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in the enclave.
However, the framework faces sharp resistance from the Israeli government. Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the 15-point proposal last week, stating that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw until Hamas undergoes total disarmament.
In response, a coalition of eight Muslim nations—comprising Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia—issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning Israel's rejection as a threat to ongoing peace efforts.
Humanitarian and Security Context
Although an underlying ceasefire that took effect on October 10 remains active, the IDF has continued targeted strikes against alleged combatants in areas such as Khan Yunis and Nuseirat, citing truce violations.
The ongoing conflict, triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks, has resulted in massive devastation.
According to the UN and local health authorities, over 73,000 people have been killed, and approximately 1.9 million people—representing 90% of Gaza's population—have been displaced since hostilities began.
