**Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Demilitarization in Talks with Trump Envoy**
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to disarm and demilitarize Gaza during a meeting with Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump. The discussions took place in Egypt and were reported by Axios on Sunday, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the longstanding conflict in the region.
The talks aimed to solidify a pledge made by Hamas in late July, following the announcement of Trump's Board of Peace. This international body, led by Trump, is tasked with overseeing the implementation of a peace plan concerning Gaza. The agreement reached with Hamas includes provisions for disarmament and the transfer of civilian and security control to a technocratic administration.
In exchange for Hamas's commitment to disarmament, the Board of Peace is expected to advocate for Israel to undertake reciprocal actions, which may include troop withdrawals and enhanced humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
During the 90-minute meeting, Kushner emphasized to Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's political chief, the necessity for the group to take "tangible steps on disarmament" to prompt Israel to reciprocate with its own measures. This direct dialogue marks a rare instance of high-level engagement between the U.S. and Hamas, with additional attendees including Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi, a senior Turkish official, and representatives from the Board of Peace, alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Following the discussions, al-Hayya reportedly conveyed to Kushner that Hamas remains dedicated to relinquishing its weapons. However, the group's official statement did not explicitly mention disarmament, instead focusing on a broader commitment to a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, sustained aid, and reconstruction efforts.
Kushner's next steps include a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where the two will discuss potential reciprocal measures. Notably, Netanyahu has previously rejected the roadmap proposed by the Board of Peace, asserting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed."
In parallel to these developments, foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Israel's dismissal of the peace framework and the pursuit of Palestinian statehood. The eight nations placed "direct and full responsibility" on West Jerusalem for hindering peace initiatives and called for active U.S. involvement in the implementation of the peace plan, which has received endorsement from UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
As the situation evolves, the international community continues to monitor the implications of these discussions on the prospects for peace in the region.