Jared Kushner Meets Hamas Leaders in Egypt to Advance Trump's Gaza Roadmap Amid Israeli Opposition

Hamas leaders have held discussions in Egypt with Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East envoy, who is working to advance a Gaza plan that has faced rejection from Israel. During Sunday's meeting, diplomatic sources speaking to the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity revealed that Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the deal, while Jared Kushner pressed for the disarmament of Hamas and the termination of any future role for the group in governing Gaza.

This diplomatic mission to Israel and Egypt by Jared Kushner aims to bridge gaps regarding the latest roadmap for Gaza proposed by Donald Trump, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed last week as “unacceptable”. Axios reported that the meeting also included Nickolay Mladenov, high representative for Donald Trump's Board of Peace, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who serves as a board member.

According to the US outlet, the gathering featured Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya, Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi, and a senior Turkish official. An Axios source noted that the primary objective was turning the disarmament of Hamas into “concrete, verifiable steps”. Another source familiar with the talks told AFP that Hamas expressed its dedication to the agreement. Both Hamas and the US envoy have yet to officially confirm that the meeting occurred.

While the United States has historically avoided direct communication with Hamas, designating it as a “terrorist organisation”, the Trump administration has increasingly pursued direct engagement in an effort to resolve the conflict. Prior to this, Reuters reported that Khalil al-Hayya met with Hassan Rashad, and the office of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi confirmed an earlier meeting between Jared Kushner and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Additionally, a senior Israeli official stated that Jared Kushner and Nickolay Mladenov were set to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Israeli official indicated that Israel remains concerned over Washington's insistence on halting targeted assassinations of Hamas fighters in Gaza. The peace plan put forward by Donald Trump demands an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza, anticipating that Hamas will disarm while Israeli troops pull out of the enclave and reconstruction takes place under a fresh civilian Palestinian administration.

Following a reduction in military activity earlier this month, Israel has recommenced air strikes over the past few days, despite an October 2025 “ceasefire”. Medics reported that an Israeli strike on a tent encampment in Khan Younis injured at least five Palestinians on Sunday. Another separate air strike struck an apartment within the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, leaving several individuals wounded.

Last month, Donald Trump declared a breakthrough in the initiative to conclude the war, an agreement accepted by both Israel and Hamas. Hamas stated it accepted the plan to avert a renewed conflict, though it stressed that the execution of the accord relies on Israel first fulfilling its obligations, including the withdrawal of forces and the cessation of attacks. Palestinian official sources report that over 1,250 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives to Israeli fire since the “ceasefire” commenced, pushing the total death toll since October 2023 past 73,300.