Jerusalem: US envoy Jared Kushner is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday after engaging in talks with Hamas leaders in Egypt. These discussions are part of an effort to revive a US-backed Gaza peace plan that Israel has so far rejected.
According to TRTworld.com, the meeting follows Hamas's endorsement of the latest stage of Trump's Gaza plan, which Netanyahu has not supported. He insists that any peace settlement must ensure that Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." Kushner's recent meeting with Hamas's new leader, Khalil al-Hayya, took place in El-Alamein, Egypt. During the talks, Kushner urged Hamas to take "concrete, verifiable steps" and conveyed that "Gaza can never again be a source of terror for Israel," as relayed by a source who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the peace plan, emphasizing the need for mediators and Trump's Board of Peace to pressure Israel into approving the roadmap and setting a timetable for its implementation. A photograph released by Egypt, the host of the talks, depicted Kushner with members of the Board of Peace, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Key mediators such as Qatar and Trkiye were also present.
The US had previously refrained from direct contact with Hamas, especially following their surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to a severe Israeli response in Gaza. However, the Trump administration has increasingly engaged with Hamas, hoping to resolve the conflict and negotiating an October ceasefire agreement that resulted in the release of all remaining Israeli hostages.
Meanwhile, Muslim states, including Trkiye, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Indonesia, have condemned Israel's rejection of the peace plan. In a joint statement, they held Israel responsible for hindering peace efforts, warning that its refusal could derail the extensive efforts being made by Trump. Netanyahu's Likud Party responded by accusing these Arab countries of attempting to undermine him ahead of the election.
The involvement of the UAE in the condemnation is particularly noteworthy, as it normalized relations with Israel five years ago, initiating an economic and strategic partnership that Netanyahu considers a significant accomplishment. Despite assurances from Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, that Israel would not need to withdraw troops until Hamas is fully disarmed, Netanyahu remains opposed to the US plan.
Israel has resumed airstrikes in Gaza, leading to injuries among Palestinians in Nuseirat and Khan Yunis. Since the October 10 ceasefire, at least 1,262 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli actions, as reported by Palestine's health ministry in Gaza.