Kushner has rare meeting with Hamas' leader on Gaza road map. A meeting with Netanyahu is next

U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday, part of a renewed diplomatic push to break the stalemate in Gaza's ceasefire talks. Kushner, who is also President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The talks center on a new 15-point, U.S.-backed road map. This plan outlines Hamas disarming in Gaza and Israel withdrawing from the war-torn Palestinian territory. The stakes are high, affecting the lives of approximately 2 million people in Gaza and the reconstruction of the enclave, which has been largely under Israeli control for over 10 months since major military operations ceased.

A previous meeting between Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Hamas leaders in Egypt last year helped secure a ceasefire. However, progress had stalled over the critical issue of Hamas' disarmament. The recent meeting with al-Hayya was confirmed by regional and Hamas officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to reporters. Kushner was joined by officials from mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

Ahead of Monday's meeting with Netanyahu, several regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's rejection of the road map. They stated that "Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza." Other signatories included Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The foreign ministers called on the Board of Peace and the U.S. to take "immediate and concrete measures" to prevent any party from hindering the plan's implementation.

Kushner's meeting with the Hamas leader aimed to secure the group's commitment to the road map, particularly disarmament, before his discussion with Netanyahu, according to a regional official. A Hamas official stated the group is committed and awaiting mediators to begin a 14-day negotiation period to establish an implementation timetable, which requires approval from all parties. The official also noted that Hamas demanded Israel halt its attacks on Gaza and withdraw.

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Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza.