Trump Envoy Kushner Meets Hamas Leader Amid Gaza Peace Plan Talks
Jared Kushner, former U.S. Middle East envoy and Trump’s son‑in‑law, convened with Hamas chief Khalil al‑Hayya in Egypt to push forward a U.S.‑backed 15‑point Gaza peace plan that seeks the complete disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The meeting – held Sunday in Cairo – followed a press statement from the Board of Peace stating it had reached an agreement for Hamas’s “complete disarmament” last month. It also encompassed discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi and representatives from Qatar, Turkey and Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any troop withdrawal until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed,” and the IDF has continued periodic strikes in Gaza amid accusations of a truce breach. The U.S. board’s proposal, which calls for a new civilian administration in Gaza, was rejected by Israel, drawing a statement from eight Muslim nations condemning the move.
The sit‑down included U.S. envoy Nickolai Mladenov and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, marking the first high‑level dialogue with Hamas since the 2025 ceasefire. While details of the talks remain unconfirmed, officials say the agenda focused on concrete steps to decommission Hamas weapons, withdraw Israeli troops and address humanitarian concerns.
With the Gaza Strip still in a state of violence—more than 73,000 casualties reported and nearly 90% of its 2.1 million residents displaced—global attention remains keen on any breakthrough that could end the conflict.
