US blocks Gaza reconstruction until Hamas disarms, Kushner says

President Donald Trump’s peace envoy, Jared Kushner, stated that the US would not permit the reconstruction of Gaza until the Palestinian territory is fully demilitarized. After meetings with Hamas officials in Cairo and a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day later, Kushner revealed that Hamas had reaffirmed its support for Trump’s peace plan and pledged to relinquish its weapons. However, Kushner admitted that it was uncertain whether this commitment would be fulfilled.

Kushner emphasized that the United States would not fund the rebuilding of Gaza if it were to be taken over by terrorists or destroyed again. He stated that the US would not impede Israel’s right to self-defense against any potential threats. In response, Netanyahu reiterated his stance that the Israeli army would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. Hamas officials argued that an Israeli withdrawal and an end to all forms of aggression were essential prerequisites for disarmament.

Human rights groups, including those in Israel and internationally, have accused Israel of systematically targeting civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure during its conflict with Hamas. Over 73,000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, with nearly the entire prewar population of 2 million displaced. Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians and blames Hamas for the destruction.

The UN has described the devastation in Gaza as "domicide," or the systematic destruction of housing and civilian infrastructure essential to survival. Trump had previously proposed a plan to rebuild Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East," but this idea was swiftly rejected by Arab states, the EU, and the UN.