CAIRO – US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East envoy Jared Kushner held talks with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt as diplomatic efforts intensified to revive a US-backed plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
The meeting took place in the Mediterranean city of El-Alamein, where Kushner pushed Hamas to provide clear and verifiable commitments on disarmament, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Disarming Hamas remains a major condition for Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposing the current version of the US proposal. During the meeting, Kushner conveyed the US position that Gaza must not again become a base for attacks against Israel and called for practical steps that could be independently verified.
Al-Hayya, who assumed leadership of Hamas in July, attended the talks in what was his first reported foreign visit since taking the position.
Hamas has previously expressed support for the latest phase of Trump’s Gaza initiative, including a proposal under which the group would surrender its weapons to a new governing structure. Following Sunday’s discussions, Hamas reiterated its backing for the plan and urged mediators and Trump’s so-called Board of Peace to pressure Israel into accepting the roadmap and setting a timeline for its implementation.
The talks were attended by representatives from Qatar and Turkey, which, along with Egypt, have played key roles in efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas. Former British prime minister Tony Blair was also present as a member of the Board of Peace.
The meeting represents a notable development in US-Hamas engagement. Washington has historically avoided direct dealings with Hamas, which the United States designates as a terrorist organisation.
However, the Trump administration has pursued direct negotiations as part of efforts to secure an end to the Gaza conflict and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages.
Kushner is due to meet Netanyahu on Monday as pressure mounts on Israel to reconsider the US proposal.
Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, along with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Indonesia, have criticised Israel’s rejection of the plan. In a joint statement, the countries accused Israel of obstructing diplomatic efforts and warned that its position could undermine attempts to establish peace.
Netanyahu has remained opposed to key elements of the proposal, despite assurances that Israeli forces would not be required to withdraw fully from Gaza until Hamas had been completely disarmed.
Meanwhile, the violence continued in Gaza.
Palestinian officials reported injuries after an Israeli airstrike struck a house west of Nuseirat. Israel said the strike targeted Islamic Jihad fighters and was carried out to prevent an imminent threat while attempting to minimise civilian casualties.
