US envoy Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday after engaging in discussions with Hamas leaders in Egypt. This is part of Washington’s efforts to revive the stalled second phase of a Gaza peace plan.
Kushner, serving as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, reportedly urged Hamas to take clear and verifiable steps toward disarmament, emphasizing that the group would not have a role in governing Gaza in the future.
Although Hamas approved the recent US-backed roadmap in July, it has called on mediators and Trump’s Peace Board to pressure Israel into accepting the agreement and establishing a timeline for implementation.
Netanyahu Demands Complete Disarmament
Netanyahu has rejected the proposed second phase unless Hamas is fully and verifiably disarmed.
According to the roadmap, Hamas would lay down its weapons as Israeli forces withdraw from parts of Gaza. However, Israeli troops continue to be stationed across a large portion of the territory, as sources familiar with the negotiations have indicated.
Kushner is also expected to meet Nickolay Mladenov, the senior representative for Gaza from the Peace Board, as part of this diplomatic effort.
Regional Pressure on Israel
Countries such as Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Indonesia have criticized Israel’s refusal to accept the latest peace roadmap.
These nations warned that Israel’s stance could undermine international attempts to establish lasting peace in Gaza.
Hamas has also called on mediators and Trump’s Peace Board to increase pressure on Israel to approve the proposed framework.
Violence Persists Despite Ceasefire
The renewed diplomatic initiative is taking place amid ongoing violence in Gaza, despite a ceasefire that started in October 2025.
Palestinian officials reported casualties following Israeli strikes and shootings in central and southern Gaza on Sunday. Israel stated that its forces were responding to threats from militants linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 1,262 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, while Israel reports five soldiers and a Defence Ministry contractor have also died during the same period.
The negotiations remain at an impasse due to a core disagreement: Hamas supports the roadmap, while Netanyahu insists that complete and verifiable disarmament must precede any further Israeli withdrawal.
