Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of President Donald Trump, held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. This follows his discussions with Hamas leaders, signaling a renewed effort to revive the peace plan for Gaza. Israel has so far rejected the plan. The U.S. seeks to maintain the ceasefire established in October. Kushner’s Sunday meeting in Cairo with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya focused on these efforts, according to sources.
Details about Kushner’s meeting with Netanyahu remain scarce. However, divergences between the U.S. and Israel on the Palestinian enclave’s future and the ongoing crisis in the West Bank have surfaced.
Netanyahu confronts internal political pressure ahead of October elections. The coalition government he leads relies partially on a far-right faction. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized peace efforts, advocating for more aggressive actions in Gaza.
This month, Netanyahu rejected a 15-point plan mandating Hamas’ disarmament and an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas demands Israeli strikes end and withdrawal commence before disarmament. International recognition of a Palestinian state is also a condition, which Israel’s government opposes.
Kushner’s meetings involved Nickolay Mladenov, former European Parliament member, and Tony Blair, a Board of Peace executive. A Board official stated both the U.S. and Israel agree on demilitarizing Hamas as the end goal. Discussions aimed to address concerns and accelerate progress.
Despite Trump-backed plans, many Israelis oppose advancing the current ceasefire deal with Hamas. Ben-Gvir condemned such efforts, calling for increased violence in Gaza, which already faces frequent Israeli strikes despite the truce.
Gaza’s health ministry reports over 1,200 deaths since the ceasefire, with at least four Israeli soldiers also killed. Ben-Gvir’s remarks, labeling Palestinians as less than human, echo other Israeli officials’ comments referenced in U.N. legal cases against Israel’s military campaign. U.S. and Israel deny allegations of genocide.
Ben-Gvir further suggested the mass emigration of Palestinians, asserting Israeli ownership over Gaza. His comments followed Defense Minister Israel Katz’s orders for Israel Police to oversee West Bank security. This includes handling Israeli settler aggression, such as the ongoing siege in Qusra, which drew U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s condemnation as ‘terroristic’.
The surge in settler attacks aligns with events post-Oct. 7, 2023, when attacks killed around 1,200 and held 250 hostage. The Palestinian health ministry reports approximately 73,000 deaths in Gaza since, with significant infrastructure devastation.
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