Kushner urges Netanyahu to test Hamas disarmament in Gaza
President Trump adviser Jared Kushner told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that the U.S. wants Israel to take "small steps" in Gaza to test whether Hamas' commitment to start disarming is genuine, a U.S. official said. Why it matters: The four-hour meeting took place amid deep skepticism from Netanyahu about the U.S. plan for Gaza — and ahead of an October election that makes…
U.S. adviser Jared Kushner advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conduct limited steps in Gaza to gauge Hamas' sincerity in disarming, according to a U.S. official. The meeting took place amid skepticism from Netanyahu over the U.S. plan for Gaza and on the cusp of an October election that makes the Israeli leader hesitant to make significant concessions.
The four-hour discussion, which followed Kushner's meetings with Hamas leaders in Egypt and with Trump's Gaza Board of Peace mediators, revealed remaining differences but also clarified misunderstandings. Kushner sought a joint understanding on moving forward, while highlighting that the U.S. does not expect Israel to refrain from actions against imminent threats from Hamas.
Both sides agreed to establish a deconfliction mechanism in Gaza for monitoring violations and addressing emerging threats, with Israeli military intelligence and the Shin Bet intelligence agency participating. After the meeting, Netanyahu's office pledged to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including addressing water and sanitation issues, and formed two working groups focused on demilitarization and humanitarian concerns.
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