Acting as the US Special Envoy for Peace,Jared Kushner held a surprise meeting with Hamas leaders in Egypt this past Sunday. The discussions focused on the implementation of President Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, specifically regarding the disarmament of the group.
The Egypt sit-down with Khalil al-Hayya and Egyptian intelligence
Jared Kushner, serving as the US Special Envoy for Peace, led high-level discussions in Egypt aimed at translating the requirement for Hamas to demilitarize Gaza into verifiable, concrete actions. According to reports from Axios, the meeting included Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad.
The diplomatic gathering also featured Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi and an unnamed senior Turkish official. This meeting represents a significant shift in engagement, marking the first time Kushner has met with Hamas leadership since the conclusion of the war last October. The focus remains on the US-led 20-point Gaza peace plan, which seeks to ensure Hamas has no future role in the territory's governance.
Netanyahu’s refusal to permit Israeli withdrawal before total disarmament
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a hardline stance against the sequence of events outlined in the US peace framework. During a Cabinet meeting on August 9, Netanyahu explicitly stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not carry out any withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. He emphasized that the Israeli government is looking for "genuine disarmament, not a fictitious one," insisting that all weapons, from heavy to light, must be surrendered.
The disagreement over the sequence of military movements creates a direct impasse with the roadmap proposed by the Trump administration's Board of Peace. While the 20-point plan suggests that Israel should take part in corresponding withdrawals as Hamas disarms, Netanyahu has publicly rejected the 15-point document. His refusal to budge on the withdrawal sequence is tied to his refusal to accept any form of Palestinian statehood, a policy he has vowed to uphold as long as he remains in office.
Hamas's demand for Palestinian statehood and full Israeli withdrawal
Hamas leadership has countered the disarmament proposal by insisting that any surrender of military infrastructure is contingent upon a total Israeli exit. The group has stated that it would only consider surrendering heavy weapons after Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and ends all military operations. Furthermore, Hamas has signaled that such a move would only occur if a Palestinian state is officially established.
Senior Hamas official Basim Naeem has criticized Netanyahu’s refusal to follow the agreed-upon roadmap, accusing the Israeli leader of obstructing the peace process for domestic political gain. Naeem suggested that Netanyahu is prioritizing his upcoming October elections over the interests of the Palestinian people . Despite this friction, Naeem claimed that Hamas remains committed to the Board of Peace's proposal as an act of national responsibility.
The role of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza's recovery
The 20-point Gaza peace plan, originally proposed by President Trump in September 2025, aims to manage post-war reconstruction through a new governance model. A central component of this plan is the transfer of authority to a Palestinian technocratic government, which would replace Hamas's 19-year rule. This transition is designed to allow an International Stabilization Force to deploy to the territory to oversee recovery efforts.
The Board of Peace intends for this stabilization force to operate without the threat of theft or intimidation from armed groups. By ensuring that Hamas retires its weapons and military infrastructure, the plan seeks to create a secure environment for reconstruction. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Gaza can never again serve as a source of terror for Israel, while providing a stable foundation for Palestinian governance.
Unresolved friction regarding the Monday meeting with Netanyahu
Significant uncertainty remains regarding the outcome of Kushner's scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday. While the US envoy is attempting to coordinate corresponding steps for Israel, it is unclear if Netanyahu will offer any flexibility regarding the withdrawal of the IDF. The report from Axios highlights a fundamental disagreement on the timing of military movements that could stall the entire 20-point framework.
The international community is left questioning whether Hamas's recent willingness to discuss disarmament is a genuine shift or a tactical delay. the source does not confirm if Hamas has made any specific concessions regarding the timeline for surrendering their heavy weaponry. Without a consensus on whether disarmament or withdrawal happens first, the peace plan faces a potentially insurmountable deadlock.
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