After meeting Netanyahu, Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament precedes Israel's withdrawal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US special envoy Jared Kushner met to discuss a proposed US plan for ending the conflict in Gaza. The meeting, which came after Kushner's previous discussions with Hamas officials in Egypt, did not result in a breakthrough. Both sides remain committed to their respective positions, with Israel insisting that Hamas be fully disarmed before any reconstruction can begin, while Hamas has rejected the plan in favor of Israel first meeting its own commitments, such as halting attacks and withdrawing from Gaza.

Since October, the conflict has resulted in over 1,200 Palestinian deaths and four Israeli soldier deaths. The Israeli military remains in Gaza, and both sides have disputed the implementation timeline of Trump's plan. The Israeli government has set up working groups to address disarmament and public health issues in Gaza, but Netanyahu's ruling coalition is unpopular ahead of its October election, making it unlikely that concessions will be made to advance the peace process.