- The visit comes shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Trump-backed 15-point plan for lasting peace in Gaza, specifically opposing a provision that would see Hamas gradually disarm and transfer weapons to a Palestinian third party while Israel withdraws troops.
- Jared Kushner is set to travel to Israel and Egypt next week to support a US-backed Board of Peace plan for a permanent end to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
- Hamas had agreed to a preliminary version of the deal and remains committed following Israel’s rejection.
- Kushner will be accompanied by the board’s director general, former Bulgarian government minister Nickolay Mladenov, and executive committee member, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- The trio will “hear the concerns that have been raised and talk about next steps,” and in Cairo they will meet Egyptian and other mediators to solidify a roadmap.
- Under the 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza signed last year, fighting was meant to be halted to pave the way for Hamas and other armed groups to decommission weapons and for Israel to withdraw, followed by Hamas transferring power to a technocratic government, deployment of an International Stabilisation Force, and a major reconstruction effort.
- There have been near-daily Israeli violations, with at least 1,260 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the ceasefire, and 73,389 killed overall since October 7, 2023; Israel has expanded control to about 70 percent of the enclave.
Jared Kushner is set to visit Israel and Egypt next week, aiming to bolster a US-backed peace initiative following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of a 15-point plan designed to end the ongoing violence in Gaza. The plan included provisions for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its troops.123
The visit, confirmed by a Board of Peace official, will see Kushner accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the board's director general, and Tony Blair, a former British Prime Minister. They will engage with Egyptian mediators to discuss the next steps in the peace process.5
The official emphasized the importance of reaching a consensus on the desired outcome, stating, “What is critical is that we both agree on the desired outcome and are finding ways to accelerate progress.” The Board of Peace aims for a demilitarized Hamas and a transition to a technocratic Palestinian government.
Despite the ceasefire agreement signed last year, which aimed to halt fighting and facilitate disarmament, there have been ongoing violations, with reports indicating that at least 1,260 Palestinians have died since its implementation. Overall, 73,389 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, as Israel continues to expand its control over Gaza, now accounting for about 70 percent of the enclave.101112
“The visit comes after Netanyahu opposed a provision for Hamas to gradually disarm and transfer weapons to a Palestinian third party while Israel withdraws troops. Hamas had agreed to a preliminary version and remains committed, while at least 1,260 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire.”
