U.S. negotiator and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner held a uncommon meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday (August 16, 2026) in a contemporary diplomatic push to advance the stalled Gaza ceasefire.
Mr. Kushner will meet Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who’s beneath stress after rejecting the new 15-point, U.S.-backed Gaza road map — on Monday (August 17).
The talks purpose to salvage the plan for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Palestine territory.
No path to peace: Editorial on Israel’s rejection of peace plan
At stake are lives of some two million individuals in Gaza and reconstruction of the crowded enclave now largely managed by Israel forces, greater than 10 months because the ceasefire ended main navy operations.
A gathering between Mr. Kushner, fellow envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas leaders in Egypt final 12 months helped clinch the ceasefire, whose progress till now had been stalled over the important thing situation of Hamas’ disarmament.
Egypt, Qatar, Turkey reps attend assembly
The greater than two-hour assembly in Egypt with Hamas’ Khalil al-Hayya was confirmed by a regional official and a Hamas official, each talking on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t authorised to speak to reporters.
Mr. Kushner was one in every of a trio of envoys assembly with al-Hayya, with officers from mediating nations Egypt, Qatar and Turkey additionally current.
Hamas in a press release later known as on mediators and the U.S.-created Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire to “compel” Israel to approve the highway map for subsequent steps.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu final week rejected the 15-point plan in a uncommon public present of defiance in opposition to the Trump administration, Israel’s closest ally.
Mr. Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov are to fulfill with Mr. Netanyahu Monday, in keeping with a supply accustomed to the plans and a diplomatic supply — each talking on situation of anonymity.
Regional powers accuse Israel of obstructing peace efforts
A number of regional powers together with Saudi Arabia and the UAE have issued a press release condemning Israel’s rejection of the highway map, saying that “Israel now bears duty for obstructing the efforts to deliver peace in Gaza.”
Different signers embrace Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia and ceasefire mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
The international ministers’ assertion known as on the Board of Peace and the US to take “quick and concrete measures” to maintain any social gathering from obstructing the plan’s implementation.
Mr. Kushner’s assembly with the Hamas chief is aimed toward guaranteeing the group’s dedication to the highway map, notably disarmament, earlier than his assembly with Netanyahu, the regional official mentioned.
The Hamas official mentioned the group is dedicated and ready for mediators to start out the 14-day negotiation interval to work out a timetable for implementation. That interval requires all events’ approval of the highway map to start.
The Hamas official additionally mentioned the Hamas chief has demanded that Israel halt its assaults on Gaza and withdraw to the so-called “yellow line” dividing the territory earlier than starting implementation. The yellow line was by no means exactly outlined. Israel forces have moved past it and now management about 60% of Gaza.
In Could, Mr. Netanyahu mentioned the subsequent step was to maneuver to 70% management, with Israel “tightening the grip” on Hamas “from each course”.
White Home has not commented on talks
The White Home referred questions on Mr. Kushner’s conferences to the Board of Peace, which didn’t instantly remark. The Tony Blair Institute didn’t remark both.
Below the highway map, Hamas would hand over weapons to the Palestinian technocratic committee meant to supervise each day operations within the territory. The committee has not but entered Gaza. However Hamas has linked the give up of its heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state, one thing Israel’s present authorities rejects.
The highway map entails Hamas regularly giving up its weapons whereas Israeli forces halt assaults and start withdrawing from Gaza. However Mr. Netanyahu says Israel won’t retreat from any place in Gaza till Hamas has been fully disarmed.
That stance leaves different components of the ceasefire, together with reconstruction and the deployment of worldwide forces to separate Israeli forces from committee-controlled areas, on maintain.
Mr. Netanyahu faces a difficult election on October 27 as he tries to carry on to energy with a coalition that features ministers taking a harsh line on Gaza, and it isn’t clear whether or not he’ll take decisive steps on the ceasefire earlier than then. Additionally arising is the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that sparked the battle.
Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud social gathering on Sunday responded to the assertion by regional powers by claiming that “Arab states need to topple” Mr. Netanyahu in order that centrist challenger Gadi Eisenkot and centre-left social gathering chief Yair Golan “will give them every little thing they need. That won’t occur.”
Revealed – August 17, 2026 06:51 am IST
