U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner concluded talks in the Middle East without securing agreement between Israeli and Hamas leaders on implementing a proposed plan to end the Gaza conflict, with both sides maintaining opposing positions on key issues.
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and special envoy, departed Jerusalem on Monday following two days of negotiations aimed at reviving stalled efforts to resolve the Gaza war. His discussions included meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas political leadership in Egypt, but produced no concrete breakthrough. Despite characterizing individual conversations as productive, fundamental disagreements between the parties prevented progress on a 15-point roadmap announced by Trump's so-called Board of Peace.
The core dispute centers on the sequencing and scope of military disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Israel maintains that Hamas must be completely disarmed before troops leave Gaza, while Hamas demands that Israel first halt military operations and commit to full withdrawal. According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu made clear that Israeli forces would continue operations as deemed necessary, including targeting militants involved in the October 7, 2023 attack. Kushner stated that the United States will not restrict Israel's self-defense rights against imminent threats, though he acknowledged this definition requires clarification.
Reconstruction of Gaza has also become a point of contention. Kushner and Netanyahu agreed that rebuilding efforts would not commence until Hamas disarmament is complete, citing concerns about renewed militant control. However, the sequencing of these conditions remains disputed, with Hamas linking its cooperation to prior Israeli compliance with ceasefire terms. Both sides have established working groups addressing disarmament and public health infrastructure as a minor step forward.
The negotiations occur as Netanyahu faces a challenging reelection campaign scheduled for October 27. Diplomatic observers suggest the prime minister is unlikely to make significant concessions on Gaza before the election, while polling indicates most Israelis support continuing military operations. Since October 2023, the conflict has resulted in over 1,200 Palestinian deaths and four Israeli military deaths, according to Gazan health officials and Israeli military figures.
