World

Kushner to meet Netanyahu to push Trump Gaza plan

Al Jazeera · 2026-08-17

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advocate for a controversial 15-point Gaza plan that has been previously rejected by Israel. • Why it matters: The plan proposes significant changes, including the disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of governance in Gaza to an international force, which has faced criticism from Netanyahu amid his re-election campaign, while Hamas has shown conditional willingness to accept it. • What to watch next: The outcome of Kushner's meeting with Netanyahu could influence the future of Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in light of ongoing violence and a fragile ceasefire established in late 2025.

**Kushner to Meet Netanyahu to Advocate for Trump’s Gaza Plan**

Jared Kushner, the U.S. envoy and son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a controversial 15-point plan for Gaza that has previously been rejected by Israel. This meeting, set for Monday, follows Kushner's recent diplomatic engagements in Egypt, where he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other regional mediators.

Kushner's visit to El-Alamein, Egypt, included discussions with representatives from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, aimed at garnering support for the Gaza plan. He was accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the Director-General of the Board of Peace, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, both of whom are involved in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.

The 15-point plan, which is part of a broader initiative led by the U.S.-initiated Board of Peace, has faced significant pushback from Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister, who is currently campaigning for re-election in October, has publicly criticized the plan, particularly its provision that calls for Hamas to gradually disarm and transfer governance of Gaza to an international force. In exchange, the plan proposes that Israeli forces withdraw from the territory.

Despite Netanyahu's rejection, Hamas has indicated a willingness to accept the plan, contingent upon Israel fulfilling its obligations, such as withdrawing its military presence and ceasing attacks in the region. This complex dynamic underscores the challenges facing Kushner as he seeks to mediate between the conflicting parties.

In late July, President Trump announced that an agreement had been reached regarding the disarmament of Hamas, a development attributed to the efforts of the Board of Peace, which was established in February 2026. The Board comprises approximately 40 countries, including Israel and several Arab states, but notably lacks representation from Palestinian authorities.

Kushner's engagement with Hamas representatives in Egypt marks a rare instance of direct dialogue with the group, aimed at translating the roadmap's commitments into actionable steps. An official familiar with the discussions noted that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to overcome the current diplomatic stalemate.

The backdrop of these negotiations is a fragile ceasefire that was established between Israel and Hamas in late 2025, which has unfortunately seen significant violence since its inception. Reports indicate that over 1,260 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza due to Israeli military actions since the ceasefire was enacted.

As Kushner prepares for his meeting with Netanyahu, the outcome remains uncertain, with both political and humanitarian implications at stake. The discussions are poised to be critical in shaping the future of Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera
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