- Hamas says it has agreed to the road map, which includes disarmament, and is urging mediators and the U.S.-created Board of Peace to “compel” Israel to sign on as well.
- The meeting comes after Kushner spent over two hours meeting Sunday with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on disarmament, according to a regional official and a Hamas official.
- Hamas leader demands Israel halt its attacks on Gaza and withdraw to the so-called “yellow line” dividing the territory before beginning implementation.
- Several regional powers including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a statement Sunday condemning Israel’s rejection of the road map, saying, “Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza.”
- Mideast negotiator and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner was meeting Monday with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the premier rejected the 15-point, U.S.-backed road map to move the truce deal forward in Gaza.
- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Board of Peace Director Nickolay Mladenov were also in the meeting with Netanyahu, according to a source familiar with the plans and a diplomatic source.
- Israel says Hamas must fully disarm before any Israeli withdrawal will occur, while Israeli troops occupy about 60 per cent of the strip and Netanyahu has previously threatened to advance.
Jared Kushner met with Hamas leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a contentious 15-point U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, which Netanyahu has rejected. The plan includes provisions for disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.123578
Hamas has expressed its agreement to the road map, urging mediators and the U.S.-created Board of Peace to compel Israel to accept it. However, Israel insists that Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal can occur, complicating the peace process.
The meeting follows Kushner's discussions with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, where the Hamas leader demanded that Israel cease its attacks and withdraw to the so-called “yellow line” before any implementation of the plan.
Netanyahu has previously indicated a desire to tighten control over Gaza, stating that the next step would involve increasing Israeli control to 70 percent. This has raised concerns among regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which condemned Israel's rejection of the road map, asserting that “Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza.”4
The ongoing negotiations highlight the complexities of achieving a lasting peace in the region amidst differing demands and geopolitical pressures.
“Hamas has agreed to the road map, which includes disarmament, and urges the U.S.-created Board of Peace to compel Israel to sign. Israel insists Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal, while troops occupy about 60% of the strip.”
The Globe and Mail
