Kushner Engages with Hamas Amidst Gaza Peace Plan Turmoil
By Editor • August 16, 2026 • 1 min read
In a significant move towards addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Jared Kushner, President Trump's Middle East envoy, has met with Hamas's new leader, Khalil al-Hayya, in Egypt. This meeting marks a rare diplomatic engagement aimed at discussing the implementation of the contentious US-backed Gaza peace plan.
The plan, which includes provisions for the complete disarmament of Hamas and calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, was recently rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu stated that disarmament must occur before any military withdrawal, revealing the complexities surrounding the peace negotiations.
The talks, which took place on Sunday, involved key figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, alongside representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. However, the absence of an official statement following the discussions leaves many details ambiguous, particularly regarding the proposed actions to address Hamas's weaponry and humanitarian efforts in the region.
In the backdrop of these discussions, the humanitarian crisis escalates, with the UN estimating that 1.9 million people, or 90% of Gaza's population, have been displaced since the conflict intensified following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The ongoing violence has resulted in over 73,000 casualties in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
