In a significant diplomatic development aimed at breaking the deadlock in the Gaza conflict, Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, held a high-stakes meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday. This meeting marks a renewed effort to advance a stalled ceasefire proposal that has faced numerous hurdles over the past several months. Following this crucial interaction, Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today to discuss the future of the peace process and the implementation of a comprehensive roadmap.
The Diplomatic Push and the 15-Point Roadmap
The meeting between Kushner and Khalil al-Hayya is part of a fresh diplomatic initiative to revive the 15-point roadmap for Gaza, which is backed by the United States. This roadmap is designed to provide a structured path toward ending the hostilities and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. The plan includes critical provisions such as the disarmament of Hamas and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian territories. However, the progress of this plan has been stymied by Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent rejection of the proposal, which has increased international pressure on the Israeli leadership.
The stakes are incredibly high, as the lives of approximately 20 lakh people in Gaza and the reconstruction of the densely populated territory depend on the success of these negotiations. Although more than 10 months have passed since the conclusion of major military operations, the region remains largely under the control of the Israeli military. The current diplomatic efforts seek to find a middle ground that ensures security for Israel while providing a path for Palestinian governance and reconstruction.
Details of the Mediation Efforts
The groundwork for this ceasefire was partially laid last year during meetings in Egypt involving Kushner, his fellow envoy Steve Witkoff, and Hamas leaders. While those initial discussions helped establish a framework, progress stalled primarily over the issue of Hamas surrendering its weapons. The recent meeting in Egypt with Khalil al-Hayya lasted for more than 2 hours, as confirmed by a regional official and a Hamas official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Kushner was one of three envoys who met with al-Hayya, alongside officials from mediating nations including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
Following the meeting, Hamas issued a statement to the mediators and the US-created Board of Peace, which monitors the ceasefire. The group urged these bodies to compel Israel to approve the roadmap for the next steps, while netanyahu's public rejection of the 15-point plan last week was a rare instance of open disagreement with the Trump administration, which has traditionally been Israel's closest ally. To further these discussions, Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, the director of the Board of Peace, are set to meet with Netanyahu on Monday.
Regional Condemnation and Hamas Demands
The rejection of the roadmap by Israel has drawn sharp criticism from several regional powers. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the mediating countries of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's stance. They asserted that the responsibility for obstructing peace efforts in Gaza now lies with Israel. The statement called upon the Peace Board and the United States to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure that no party hinders the implementation of the plan.
According to regional officials, Kushner's meeting with the Hamas leader was intended to secure the group's commitment to the roadmap, particularly regarding the disarmament clause, before his meeting with Netanyahu. A Hamas official stated that the group remains committed and is waiting for mediators to initiate a 14 day negotiation period to establish a timeline for implementation. However, this period can only begin once all parties approve the roadmap. Hamas has also demanded that Israel cease its attacks on Gaza and withdraw to the so-called Yellow Line, a boundary that has never been clearly defined. Currently, Israeli forces have moved beyond this line and control approximately 60 percent of Gaza. In May, Netanyahu had expressed an intention to gain 70 percent control to tighten the grip on Hamas from all sides.
The Path Forward and Political Challenges
The White House has not commented on Kushner's meetings, referring inquiries to the Board of Peace, which also declined to comment immediately. Similarly, the Tony Blair Institute has remained silent on the matter. Under the proposed roadmap, Hamas would hand over its weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee responsible for daily administration. This committee has yet to enter Gaza. Hamas has linked the surrender of its heaviest weapons to the formation of a Palestinian state, a condition that the current Israeli government refuses to accept.
The roadmap envisions a gradual disarmament of Hamas alongside a cessation of Israeli attacks and a withdrawal from Gaza. However, Netanyahu maintains that Israel won't retreat from any positions until Hamas's weapons are fully seized, while this rigid stance has stalled other aspects of the ceasefire, such as reconstruction efforts and the deployment of an international force to separate Israeli troops from areas controlled by the committee. Also, Netanyahu faces a challenging election on October 27, where he's trying to maintain power with a coalition that includes ministers advocating for a hardline approach in Gaza. With the anniversary of the October 7 2023 attacks approaching, it remains uncertain if any decisive steps toward a ceasefire will be taken. Netanyahu's Likud party responded to the regional statement by claiming that Arab nations want to see Netanyahu removed from power in favor of centrist challengers like Gadi Eisenkot or Yair Golan, asserting that such a shift won't happen.