Kushner Meets Netanyahu After Hamas Talks as Trump Team Pushes Gaza Plan

Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, hours after holding rare talks with senior Hamas officials in Cairo as President Donald Trump’s team stepped up efforts to advance its Gaza plan.

Kushner met a Hamas delegation led by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo on Sunday. The discussions were part of a renewed American diplomatic effort surrounding the fragile Gaza ceasefire and the next stage of President Trump’s plan.

Hamas Disarmament Remains the Key Issue

The central dispute remains Hamas’ weapons and Israel’s security requirements. Netanyahu has rejected an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas is genuinely disarmed.

Despite disagreements over how and when the plan should move forward, Washington and Jerusalem share a crucial objective: Hamas cannot remain an armed terrorist organization capable of rebuilding its forces and threatening Israel again.

A U.S.-linked Board of Peace official described the desired end state as a “demilitarized Hamas” and said the discussions were focused on addressing concerns and accelerating progress.

Kushner’s regional diplomatic push also involved Nickolay Mladenov, President Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, an executive board member.

Netanyahu Draws a Red Line

Netanyahu earlier rejected the current 15-point framework, which calls for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Gaza. The prime minister has insisted that Israeli forces will not simply pull out while Hamas retains the ability to rearm and rebuild.

That position reflects the security reality Israel has faced since October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel, murdered about 1,200 people and kidnapped roughly 250 hostages.

Hamas has said it could disarm under certain conditions, but has tied the process to Israeli military withdrawal and demands involving recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel’s government rejects allowing the terrorist group to retain leverage over the process through such conditions.

Regional Pressure Builds Around Gaza Plan

Hamas welcomed a joint statement from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt criticizing Israel’s rejection of the road map.

For Israel, however, the dispute is not simply about reaching another ceasefire agreement. Israeli leaders have repeatedly warned that an arrangement leaving Hamas armed could give the terrorist organization an opportunity to regroup and eventually launch new attacks.

Ben-Gvir Demands Tougher Action

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has opposed advancing the ceasefire framework and called for a significantly tougher military policy toward Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by former hostage Rom Braslavski, Ben-Gvir said Israel should carry out regular targeted killings in Gaza rather than allow terrorist operatives to remain protected by the ceasefire.

The IDF says its strikes in Gaza target Hamas terrorists and threats to Israeli troops. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, Reuters reported.

Tensions Continue in Judea & Samaria

The diplomatic push has also come amid heightened tensions in Judea & Samaria. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently issued a sharp condemnation over reported violence against Palestinian residents in Qusra, describing those responsible as “Israeli terrorists.”

Israel continues to face the broader challenge of maintaining law and order while combating Palestinian terrorist networks operating throughout Judea & Samaria.

Trump Team Pushes for a Security-Based Agreement

Kushner’s meetings in Cairo and Israel marked a renewed attempt by the Trump team to bridge remaining differences and move the Gaza framework forward.

But the fundamental security test remains clear: any lasting agreement must prevent Hamas from emerging from the war armed, organized and capable of carrying out another October 7-style attack.

For Israel, promises of future disarmament are not enough. Hamas must actually lose its ability to wage war and terror before any agreement can deliver lasting security.