Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on a path forward for Gaza on Monday after Kushner held rare direct talks with Hamas leaders in Egypt over the weekend, according to a Board of Peace official.
The meeting, which lasted four hours, came after Kushner met Hamas representatives in Cairo on Saturday – a significant diplomatic step given that the United States designates Hamas as a terrorist organization. CNN reported that Kushner told Netanyahu not to create obstacles to the stalled Gaza plan during their discussion.
Board of Peace Framework
The agreement was brokered under the framework of the proposed Board of Peace, a body envisioned by the Trump administration to oversee Gaza’s post-war governance. A senior official said both leaders agreed on the general parameters, though critical details including the composition of an international stabilization force and timelines for implementation remain unresolved.
The talks come as the broader US-Iran conflict continues to reshape the region. With the 60-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran expiring Monday without a new deal, pressure is mounting on all parties to find separate solutions for the Gaza track. Iran’s announcement earlier Monday that it would shift to a fully offensive military posture has further complicated the diplomatic landscape.
Hamas Engagement Raises Questions
Kushner’s decision to meet directly with Hamas leaders in Egypt drew both praise and criticism. Supporters said the engagement was necessary to advance any realistic Gaza settlement, while opponents argued it legitimized a group the US has sanctioned for decades. Hamas reportedly signaled willingness to discuss a transitional governance arrangement but stopped short of recognizing Israel.
Netanyahu faces his own political pressures. His far-right coalition partners have publicly opposed any ceasefire that does not include the complete destruction of Hamas. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the emerging framework unacceptable, while protests in Tel Aviv continue to demand early elections.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The diplomatic efforts come against a backdrop of deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Aid agencies report severe shortages of food, water and medicine across the territory. Israeli strikes continue despite the diplomatic activity, with at least nine Palestinians killed in separate airstrikes in Deir al-Balah and Gaza City over the weekend.
The next phase of any Gaza deal would require implementing a governing body for the territory and deploying an international stabilization force – steps that have proven elusive in previous rounds of negotiations. Analysts caution that the broader regional war between the US and Iran could either accelerate or derail the Gaza process depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks.
Sources: Reuters; CNN; AP; Board of Peace official statement
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