Kushner's Gaza Talks End Without Breakthrough as Israel, Hamas Differ

US envoy Jared Kushner's meetings with Israeli and Hamas leaders this week ended without a breakthrough, as both sides held firm on key demands over the US-backed Gaza peace plan Source: CNA. Kushner met Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday, then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday Source: AP News. The talks aimed to advance Trump's 15-point plan, which Netanyahu publicly rejected this month Source: The Guardian.

Key sticking points

• Disarmament sequencing: Israel insists Hamas must fully disarm before any Israeli withdrawal or reconstruction, while Hamas demands Israel adhere to the ceasefire and withdraw first Source: CNA.
• Weapons control: Under the plan, weapons surrendered by Palestinian factions would go to an American-led International Stabilization Force, not the Palestinian NCAG, a mechanism analysts say will trigger "severe sensitivity" within Hamas Source: Al Jazeera.
• Working groups: Netanyahu and Kushner agreed to establish two working groups—one on disarmament and demilitarisation, another on sanitation and public health—but no timeline for implementation was announced Source: Euronews.

Regional pressure

Eight Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's rejection of the plan, saying Israel "bears direct and full responsibility" for obstructing peace Source: Euronews. Netanyahu's Likud party responded that Arab countries want to "bring down the prime minister" ahead of October elections Source: CNA.

Kushner estimated that "starting to take some of the weapons out" could happen "in the next 60 to 90 days" Source: Al Jazeera, but no concrete steps were agreed. The US and mediators continue to push for implementation, but the core dispute over sequencing remains unresolved.