Jared Kushner, the U.S. Special Envoy for Peace, met with Hamas leaders in Egypt on Sunday in a surprise development aimed at encouraging the group's disarmament in Gaza. The meeting, which included Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi, focused on translating Hamas's commitment to demilitarize into concrete, verifiable steps.
Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss reciprocal actions Israel would take under the U.S.'s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The plan, introduced by President Trump in September 2025, seeks to end the conflict, secure the release of hostages, and manage post-war reconstruction and governance. The framework previously facilitated an initial ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.
Sources close to the meeting indicated that a primary objective was to ensure Hamas relinquishes governing authority and all weapons and military infrastructure, allowing an International Stabilization Force to oversee Gaza's reconstruction without interference. The plan also calls for corresponding Israeli withdrawals from Gaza if Hamas agrees to disarm.
This push for disarmament comes amid conflicting stances between Israeli and Hamas leadership. In late July, Hamas reportedly agreed to turn over its weapons as part of the peace plan, a move that Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly rejected. Netanyahu stated that Israel would not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is fully disarmed, emphasizing the need for genuine disarmament of all weapons. He also reiterated his long-standing opposition to Palestinian statehood.
Hamas, conversely, has stated that it would only disarm after Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and ends military operations, with the surrender of heavy weapons contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state. Senior Hamas official Basim Naeem criticized Netanyahu's remarks, urging international mediators to pressure the Israeli leader to adhere to the agreed roadmap and avoid obstructing the process for domestic political reasons. Naeem affirmed Hamas's commitment to the U.S. plan, describing it as an act of national responsibility serving Palestinian interests.