Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. This meeting follows Kushner's rare engagement with Hamas officials in Cairo on Sunday, aimed at advancing the U.S. administration's peace initiative for Gaza.
A diplomatic source confirmed that Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya participated in discussions held by mediators with Kushner and Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, in Cairo. This represents Kushner's second known encounter with representatives of Hamas, a Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
Kushner had previously met with Hamas officials in October 2025, alongside U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. That engagement was instrumental in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
President Trump announced in late July that an agreement had been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is currently campaigning for re-election in the upcoming October vote, has publicly expressed his opposition to Trump's proposal.
Trump's plan outlined a phased approach, involving the withdrawal of Israeli forces as disarmament progresses. An International Stabilization Force was slated to collaborate with a newly formed Palestinian police force to ensure security within the enclave. Hamas has indicated its agreement to the plan, contingent upon Israel fulfilling its own obligations, including withdrawal and cessation of hostilities.
