Netanyahu and Kushner meet without breakthrough on Gaza ceasefire deal

Netanyahu and Kushner met in Israel on Monday to discuss the stalled Gaza ceasefire deal, but no breakthrough was achieved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stance that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza cannot occur until Hamas first disarms. This position aligns with the Israeli government’s long-standing policy, which emphasizes the necessity of Hamas disarming before any political or military concessions are made.

An Israeli official confirmed that the meeting between Netanyahu and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, did not result in any significant progress. The official stated that Netanyahu made it clear the Israeli military would not withdraw from Gaza and would continue its operations there. This reflects the Israeli government’s continued military presence in the territory, as reported by the source.

The meeting took place following Kushner’s earlier meeting with Hamas’s political chief in Egypt. During that encounter, Hamas reiterated its demand that Israel withdraw its troops from the 60% of Gaza it occupies before any ceasefire discussions can proceed. This highlights the ongoing impasse between the Israeli government and Hamas, with each side holding firm to its conditions for peace.

Netanyahu’s insistence on Hamas disarming before any withdrawal or reconstruction is a central point of contention. During the meeting with Kushner, Netanyahu requested that a US general oversee the handover of weapons by Hamas. This proposal underscores the Israeli government’s desire for international oversight in the disarmament process, as noted in the source.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office described the meeting as “deep and constructive,” with both sides agreeing to establish two working groups. One group will focus on the disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, with both Israel and the Board of Peace committed to completing this task before any reconstruction efforts begin. This agreement, however, remains conditional on Hamas’s cooperation.

In a separate statement, a Board of Peace official described the meeting as “lengthy, in depth, and very productive.” They emphasized that the Israelis are willing to give Hamas a chance to comply with the conditions, but the final decision rests with Hamas. This reflects the Board of Peace’s cautious optimism, while acknowledging the challenges ahead.

The timing of the meeting, which also included Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, members of Trump’s self-styled Board of Peace, was politically sensitive. Netanyahu faces growing pressure in the polls ahead of national elections, and his role in the events leading up to Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023 remains a contentious issue. This context underscores the high stakes of the ongoing negotiations and the political risks involved for Netanyahu.

Source: Read the original report