US envoy Jared Kushner held rare talks with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday as part of a renewed push to implement a US-backed Gaza peace plan. The meeting followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public rejection of the 15-point roadmap on August 9, which calls for Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals in staged phases.
Kushner’s diplomatic push amid regional backlash
Kushner, Trump’s Board of Peace envoy, met with al-Hayya alongside mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The discussions focused on translating Hamas’ commitment to disarmament into verifiable steps, according to regional officials. The Board of Peace’s plan envisions Hamas handing over weapons to a new Palestinian governing body, enabling the deployment of an International Stabilization Force and Gaza’s reconstruction.
Israel’s rejection triggers regional condemnation
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations—Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan—issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning Israel’s rejection of the plan. The statement, released by their foreign ministries, accused Israel of undermining efforts to end the war and derailing Trump’s push for lasting peace. It emphasized that Hamas’s acceptance of the plan was a "vital milestone" and called on the US to compel Israel’s compliance.
The countries warned that Israel’s rejection "bears direct and full responsibility for any consequences" arising from continued obstruction of the plan, including potential deterioration of the situation on the ground. Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed," rejecting the phased approach outlined in the plan.
Gaza’s humanitarian and political stakes
The stalled peace process comes as Gaza remains under Israeli military control more than 10 months after a ceasefire halted major hostilities. The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in over 1,250 Palestinian deaths since October 2025, according to Israeli figures. Four Israeli soldiers were killed by militants in Gaza during the same period.
Hamas has repeatedly called on mediators to compel Israel to meet its obligations under the peace plan, including halting ceasefire violations and approving the second-phase roadmap. The group’s leadership has framed the plan as a critical step toward ending the conflict and enabling reconstruction.
Next steps in the diplomatic process
Kushner is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Monday to discuss "corresponding steps" Israel must take as part of the plan. The Board of Peace’s envoys, including Nickolay Mladenov and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, will also participate in the talks. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued on Sunday, with the IDF targeting members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Khan Younis and Nuseirat.
The diplomatic push follows Trump’s creation of the Board of Peace, an international organization initially focused on Gaza but later expanded to address global conflicts. The board’s plan includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force and the transfer of administrative authority to a Palestinian technocratic government, with Hamas barred from future governance.
Reactions from key stakeholders
Netanyahu’s Likud party has framed the Arab countries’ criticism as an attempt to topple his government ahead of Israel’s October 27 national election. The party accused regional actors of seeking to force Israel into concessions that would undermine its security. Hamas, meanwhile, has reiterated its demand for Israel to fulfill its commitments under the plan, including withdrawing forces and halting attacks.
The US has not yet issued an official response to Israel’s rejection, though Trump’s envoy has emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to the plan’s terms. The Board of Peace’s roadmap remains the most detailed proposal on the table, with mediators urging both sides to return to negotiations to avoid further escalation.