Trump Envoy Meets Hamas Leaders Over Gaza Plan, Will See Netanyahu Next

U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner met with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday in a bid to advance the stalled Gaza ceasefire talks. This rare encounter aims to salvage the 15-point U.S.-backed road map, which seeks to disarm Hamas and Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory. The meeting comes after Netanyahu's rejection of the plan earlier this week.

Kushner will follow up on Monday with a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The region's major powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have denounced Israel's rejection of the road map, accusing it of obstructing peace efforts. Both a regional official and a Hamas official confirmed the meeting's details, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Hamas has committed to the road map, particularly to disarmament, and is waiting for the 14-day negotiation period to begin. They also demand that Israel halt its attacks on Gaza and withdraw to a line known as the "yellow line" before implementing the agreement. Israeli forces have already moved beyond this line, controlling around 60% of Gaza.

Under the road map, Hamas would turn over its weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee, which has not yet entered Gaza. However, Hamas has linked its surrender of heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state, something the current Israeli government rejects. The ceasefire's reconstruction and international force deployment are also on hold.

Netanyahu faces a difficult election on October 27, and it remains uncertain whether he will take decisive action on the ceasefire before then. The anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack is also approaching.