U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner stated that Israel’s upcoming late-October elections are the primary reason for the stalled progress on Gaza reconstruction and Hamas disarmament efforts. Kushner, speaking at a conference in Kyiv, said political uncertainty in Israel has made its government “a little irrational in certain regards,” delaying negotiations over a U.S.-backed roadmap.
U.S. officials say Israel has not provided guarantees needed to establish a new police force in Gaza, a critical component of the proposed security architecture to replace Hamas. The force is intended to facilitate the entry of a technocratic government backed by Washington, but Israel’s refusal to commit to certain conditions has impeded reconstruction efforts. Additionally, U.S. officials allege Israel is not meeting commitments to allow in materials required for reconstruction projects in the war-torn enclave.
Gaza remains devastated three years after a war triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel, with many Palestinians still living in tent encampments a year after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Kushner described the territory as having been “basically built by NGOs and terrorists” and asserted that the U.S. now has a plan to move forward, though he did not detail how Israel’s government is specifically obstructing the process.
The U.S. proposal aims to disarm Hamas and enable international investment in Gaza’s rehabilitation, but disagreements persist between Washington, Israel, and Hamas over the terms of the roadmap. A U.S. official familiar with the matter told CBS News that Israel’s reluctance to guarantee the new police force’s operations is a major sticking point, as it is seen as essential for stabilizing the region before broader reconstruction can begin.
Kushner’s remarks mark a rare public criticism of Israel’s Gaza policy by a senior Trump administration official, reflecting growing frustration in Washington over the lack of progress. He did not elaborate on the specific political issues within Israel that are causing delays, nor did he outline alternative steps to break the impasse. The upcoming elections, widely seen as a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents, are widely expected to influence Israel’s decision-making in the coming months.