Kushner Engages Hamas Leadership in Egypt to Revive Stalled Gaza Peace Roadmap

In a significant diplomatic maneuver, U.S. envoy and presidential advisor Jared Kushner held a rare, high-level meeting with Hamas leadership in Egypt this Sunday. The discussions were aimed at breathing new life into a 15-point, U.S.-backed roadmap designed to resolve the protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip. The primary objective of the proposal is to facilitate a structured disarmament of militant groups in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the territory.

The meeting, which included Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, focused on securing concrete and verifiable steps toward the surrender of weapons and the transition of governing authority. According to reports, the U.S. side emphasized that the future of the enclave must be secured to ensure it can no longer serve as a base for attacks against Israel. This push comes roughly two weeks after Hamas signaled a willingness to transfer its military assets to a new administrative body.

Despite these efforts, the initiative faces substantial hurdles, most notably from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Last week, the Israeli leader formally rejected the current iteration of the peace plan, maintaining that Israel will not commit to a withdrawal until Hamas is completely and genuinely disarmed. This public disagreement highlights a growing rift between the Trump administration’s diplomatic strategy and the security requirements demanded by the Israeli government.

Kushner is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday to address these concerns and attempt to bridge the gap between the two sides. The stakes remain exceptionally high, as the lives of approximately 2 million residents in Gaza hang in the balance, alongside the urgent need for the reconstruction of the war-torn region. While previous negotiations involving Kushner and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff helped establish a temporary ceasefire, the current impasse over disarmament remains the central obstacle to a lasting resolution.