United States envoy Jared Kushner met with Hamas leaders in Cairo on Sunday before traveling to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, aiming to advance a proposed second-phase Gaza ceasefire roadmap as regional violence persists.
Jared Kushner and Nikolai Mladenov Meet Hamas Leaders in Cairo
Diplomatic efforts to solidify a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered a critical phase on Sunday as U.S. presidential envoy Jared Kushner held discussions in Cairo alongside Middle East peace coordinator Nikolai Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The delegation met with a Hamas delegation led by political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya, marking a rare high-level diplomatic exchange between U.S. representatives and the group. This marked the second known meeting between Kushner and representatives of Hamas, following an October 2025 meeting that included U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Cairo Negotiations and the Second-Phase Roadmap
The Cairo meetings formed part of a broader push to press Hamas toward concrete security commitments under Washington’s postwar framework. According to reporting from regional outlets citing informed sources, the Peace Council pressed Hamas to begin dismantling its military infrastructure and heavy weaponry, permit the deployment of an international stabilization force, and facilitate humanitarian reconstruction. In late July, the Peace Council announced a detailed 15-point roadmap for the second phase of the U.S. peace initiative, which President Donald Trump stated was reached in late July.
Hamas Agrees to Roadmap and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Meets Delegation
Hamas stated following the Cairo talks that it had agreed to the roadmap based on the interests of our people and the desire to achieve a permanent ceasefire, while calling on mediators to ensure Israel fulfills its obligations from the initial accord. Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief Hassan Rashad also met with the Hamas delegation in El Alamein to discuss implementation mechanisms, alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. According to a diplomatic source, Kushner and Nikolai Mladenov participated in meetings alongside Khalil al-Hayya.
Israeli Opposition and Political Strains
Benjamin Netanyahu Rejects 15-Point Roadmap Before Israeli Election
While international mediators seek momentum, the U.S. proposal faces strong resistance from Israeli leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected the 15-point roadmap, demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas before any Israeli withdrawal from the territory takes place. Netanyahu faces a domestic political landscape ahead of an election scheduled for October, compounding the friction between Washington’s push for immediate de-escalation and Israel’s security conditions.
Senior Israeli officials have expressed unease regarding American proposals that contemplate halting military operations and scaling back strikes while Hamas regroups its forces. According to reports from Israeli security bodies, the government is preparing for potential U.S. pressure to cease demolition operations, scale back airstrikes, and begin retreating forces toward designated demarcation lines. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel is concerned by Washington’s demand to halt targeted assassinations in Gaza while Hamas rebuilds its military capabilities.
Ongoing Ground Operations Amid Diplomatic Talks
Mahmoud Basal Reports Casualties from Israeli Airstrikes Near Nuseirat and Khan Younis
The high-level diplomacy unfolds against a backdrop of continuing military engagement across the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal reported casualties from Israeli airstrikes targeting a home near Nuseirat in central Gaza, as well as tent camps housing displaced families near Khan Younis in the south. The Israeli military maintained that its actions were responsive to threats originating from Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Basal also reported that the body of a child killed by Israeli fire was recovered on Saturday near Khan Younis.
With Egyptian sponsorship, the Hamas leadership delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, head of the movement, met with the brother mediators and guarantors’ delegations for the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Next Steps in Washington’s Regional Push
Following his meetings in Egypt, Kushner traveled directly to Israel for talks with Netanyahu, with the visit reported by Israel’s Channel 12. The discussions are expected to test whether the White House can bridge the wide gap between Washington’s phased transition plan and Israel’s insistence on prior militant disarmament. The outcome of Monday’s meetings in Jerusalem will determine whether the second-phase roadmap can move from diplomatic talks toward verified implementation on the ground.
=== END ARTICLE HTML ===
