Kushner to hold talks with Netanyahu after rare meeting with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, on Monday. This comes after Netanyahu held a rare gathering with Hamas officials in Cairo the previous day. The aim of the meeting is to advance the US president's Gaza peace plan. Among those present at the meetings were Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya and Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace envoy for Gaza.

This marks Kushner's second known meeting with representatives of Hamas, a group labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. Earlier, in October 2025, Kushner met with Hamas officials alongside US envoy Steve Witkoff. This meeting was instrumental in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and releasing remaining hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks.

President Trump had stated in late July that a deal was reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. However, Netanyahu, who is up for re-election in October, has publicly turned his back on Trump's plan. Witkoff and Kushner have since traveled to Pakistan for talks regarding Iran. According to President Trump, the deal would be executed in stages.

Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza as disarmament progressed, and an International Stabilization Force would operate alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. While Hamas has reportedly agreed to the plan, its implementation hinges on Israel meeting its own obligations, such as withdrawing and ceasing attacks.