Jared Kushner met with Hamas leaders in Egypt this weekend to advance a Gaza peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump. This meeting marks a shift in approach for the United States, which has historically maintained a strict policy against direct contact with the group. The discussions in Alamein included representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, alongside former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The primary goal of these talks is to move toward a transition of governing responsibilities in Gaza to a new national committee.
Hamas officials briefed the US envoy on their perspective regarding ceasefire violations, specifically accusing Israel of failing to adhere to the initial terms of the agreement. While Hamas has signaled its acceptance of the second phase of the Trump-backed roadmap, they continue to demand that international mediators hold Israel accountable for ongoing military actions. The group maintains that any future administration in Gaza must exclude their direct control over governing and military infrastructure, a condition that remains central to the US proposal.
Israeli officials have publicly rejected the roadmap, describing the terms as unacceptable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains critical of specific elements, including the potential halt to targeted operations against Hamas fighters. Despite this friction, Kushner and Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov are scheduled for further meetings in Israel this week.
International pressure is mounting as the foreign ministers of eight nations recently issued a formal condemnation of Israel's refusal to adopt the roadmap. These countries described the rejection as a direct obstruction to regional peace efforts. As diplomatic activity increases, the situation on the ground remains volatile with continued reports of airstrikes and casualties in Khan Younis and Nuseirat. The path toward a lasting cessation of hostilities depends on the ability of the US to navigate these opposing positions.