Kushner Meets Netanyahu Amid Tension Over Gaza Peace Plan
On August 17, 2026, Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This meeting followed Kushner’s unusual discussions with the leader of Hamas. The goal was to revive a peace plan for Gaza previously rejected by Israel. Kushner’s Sunday meeting in Cairo with a Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya aimed to advance the fragile ceasefire brokered in October, as reported by NBC News.
The specifics of Kushner’s meeting with Netanyahu remain unclear. Public disputes between the U.S. and Israel have arisen over the future course for the Palestinian enclave and Israel’s handling of increasing tensions in the occupied West Bank.
This diplomatic effort occurs as Netanyahu faces internal political pressure with upcoming October elections. His coalition, which depends on support from far-right members, is under strain. Notably, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized peace efforts, advocating for nightly targeted killings in Gaza.
Earlier in the month, Netanyahu dismissed a 15-point proposal that included Hamas disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. He insisted on no military pull-out until Hamas is fully disarmed. Meanwhile, Hamas welcomed a statement from several countries condemned Israel’s rejection of the peace road map.
Hamas agreed to disarm under the condition that Israel ceases its strikes and withdraws from Gaza. They also demand international recognition of a Palestinian state before disarmament, a condition Israel’s current leadership opposes.
Kushner was accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, a former European Parliament member, and Tony Blair, a former British Prime Minister. A Board of Peace official stated the U.S. and Israel agree on the end goal of the talks: a demilitarized Hamas.
Resistance to the Trump-backed plan persists within Israel. Speaking on Rom Braslavski’s podcast, Ben-Gvir criticized the ceasefire deal, advocating for heightening military actions rather than peace efforts. The Israeli military continues operations in Gaza, resulting in over 1,200 deaths since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s health ministry. In that period, at least four Israeli soldiers have been killed.
Ben-Gvir’s comments echo sentiments from other Israeli officials during the Gaza conflict, contributing to a United Nations International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide, a claim both the U.S. and Israel deny. Ben-Gvir also promoted mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, declaring the entire region as belonging to Israel.
Concurrent to these tensions, Israeli settlers have conducted aggressive campaigns in the Palestinian village of Qusra. The actions have prompted a rare censure from U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, labeling the settlers as ‘Israeli terrorists’ and condemning their actions.
Since the attacks on October 7, 2023, violence has escalated in Gaza, with over 73,000 deaths reported. The region continues to suffer significant destruction, deeply affecting its civilian population.