- Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas officials in Cairo on Sunday, with Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya present at some sessions.
- Kushner is due to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to push forward the U.S. president's Gaza peace plan.
U.S. envoy Jared Kushner is in Cairo to discuss President Trump's Gaza peace plan with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a rare meeting with Hamas officials. This marks Kushner's second known engagement with the militant group, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.2
A diplomatic source revealed that Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya participated in discussions with Kushner and Nickolay Mladenov, Trump's Board of Peace envoy for Gaza. Kushner's previous meeting with Hamas in October 2025 helped secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.1
Despite Trump's assertion in July that a deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas was reached, Netanyahu has publicly rejected the plan. The proposed deal involves phased Israeli withdrawals from Gaza, contingent on Hamas's disarmament and the establishment of an International Stabilization Force to assist a new Palestinian police force.
Hamas has expressed conditional agreement to the plan, stating that its implementation hinges on Israel fulfilling its commitments, including withdrawal and cessation of attacks.
“Kushner's Cairo meeting marks his second known encounter with Hamas, a group the U.S. designates as terrorist. Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya attended some sessions, and Trump's peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov also joined the talks.”
