US-Hamas channel has value, but only if terrorists disappear from Gaza’s future - editorial
Washington has found value in talking directly to Hamas, but those contacts will only serve Israel’s interests if they lead to disarmament, destroyed tunnels, and Hamas’s removal from Gaza’s future.
A senior American delegation visited Egypt on Sunday to discuss Gaza's future with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, as the Trump administration sought to advance its plan and address disagreements over disarming the terrorist organization, Israel's withdrawal, and the territory's governance. Leading the delegation was Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and a key figure in the administration's Middle East policy.
Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov, met with Hamas to discuss concrete steps for demilitarization and disarmament.
Hamas stated that it remained committed to the American framework while demanding Israel's full adherence to the agreement. Eight Arab and Muslim countries criticized Israel for rejecting the latest road map, expressing concerns about its reluctance to comply with the disarmament conditions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains firm on the need for complete disarming of Hamas and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, even as the terrorist organization continues to rebuild its military capabilities.
The frequency of such meetings has become increasingly common, with the October 2025 version aiming to bring hostages home and establish a ceasefire. Previous encounters, such as those with Hamas leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, resulted in tangible outcomes: the release of hostages and the start of the peace process. The Israeli response to these meetings has mellowed compared to the initial uproar caused by Jared Kushner's meeting with Adam Boehler, a US hostage envoy.
While there is still disagreement on the content and sequence of the plan, direct US-Hamas talks have become part of the process.
Maintaining this channel of communication is justified if it yields positive results, such as disarmament, military infrastructure dismantling, and the transfer of governance to a body without Hamas's involvement. These meetings have allowed Hamas to assert its influence on Gaza's future, but they also demonstrate the potential for Washington to shape the narrative and outcomes.
As long as direct contact continues to bring about concrete results, such as the surrender of weapons, destruction of tunnels, and dismantling of armed formations, Kushner should keep the channel open. If Hamas emerges from the conflict weakened on the battlefield while retaining a permanent role at the negotiating table, the process has served its intended purpose.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
