Kushner Meets Hamas Leader in Egypt, Netanyahu to Follow

Jared Kushner, the U.S. negotiator and son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, participated in a rare meeting with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday, as confirmed to the Associated Press. The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic initiative aimed at renewing the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with Kushner scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The talks aim to salvage the U.S. 15-point plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian territory. At stake are the lives of approximately 2 million people in Gaza and the reconstruction of the enclave, which is largely controlled by Israeli forces, more than 10 months after the end of major military operations.

Diplomatic Efforts in Cairo

Kushner led the U.S. delegation in a meeting with representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, the countries mediating the conflict. Last year, a similar meeting helped broker a ceasefire, but progress has stalled due to disputes over Hamas's disarmament. According to HRT, U.S. envoys met in Cairo with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators to accelerate negotiations on ending the war in the Gaza Strip.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Hamas officials attended some of the talks. Trump's peace plan calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, and the reconstruction of Gaza under a new Palestinian civilian administration. According to AP, Kushner's goal in the meeting with al-Hayya was to secure Hamas's commitment to disarmament before talks with Netanyahu. A Hamas member stated that the group is committed to the plan and awaits the start of a 14-day negotiation period to define the timeline, which requires approval from all parties involved.

Netanyahu Rejects Plan, Arab Countries Condemn Israel

Netanyahu rejected the 15-point plan last week, a rare public defiance of the Trump administration, Israel's closest ally. Ahead of the meeting, regional powers including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a statement condemning Israel's stance, saying the country "now bears responsibility for obstructing efforts to bring peace to Gaza."

The statement, also signed by Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the mediating countries, calls on the U.S. to take urgent and concrete measures to prevent the blocking of the agreement's implementation. Hamas demands that Israel halt attacks and withdraw troops to the so-called "yellow line," a territorial division that has never been precisely defined. Israeli forces currently control about 60% of Gaza. In May, Netanyahu stated that the next step would be to achieve 70% control, "tightening the noose" against the group. Militants in Gaza have killed four Israeli soldiers in the same period, according to Israeli figures.

Political Background and Elections in Israel

Netanyahu faces a delicate political situation, with elections scheduled for October 27. He is trying to hold onto power with the support of a coalition that includes hardline ministers. The country is also approaching the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks that started the war.

In response to criticism from Arab countries, Netanyahu's Likud party issued a statement claiming that neighboring countries want to topple the current government to favor center and center-left candidates. "They would give them everything they want. That will not happen," the party said.

The White House and the Tony Blair Institute have not commented on the negotiations. Kushner is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu behind closed doors, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, director of the U.S.-created Peace Council. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff also participated in last year's meeting that led to the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, as diplomatic efforts continue, Israeli airstrikes have intensified in recent days. The Israeli military announced that its aircraft targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives in Khan Younis and Nuseirat. Doctors in Gaza reported that at least five Palestinians were injured in an attack on a tent camp. One of the injured in the Khan Younis attack later died at Nasser Hospital. In a separate strike, an apartment in the Nuseirat camp in the central part of the enclave was hit, injuring several people. The Israeli military said that the target in that attack was also a militant.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya met in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said they would convey reports of Israeli violations to the mediators. On Sunday, Netanyahu tweeted congratulations to India on its 80th independence anniversary, saying: "India and Israel gained independence within a year of each other. We are two ancient peoples who together seize the future to bring a better life." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded: "May the India-Israel strategic partnership grow even stronger, unlocking new opportunities and forging deeper ties between our peoples."