Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy and son-in-law, held direct talks with Hamas leaders in Cairo despite Israeli objections, according to a report published on August 18. The meeting was described as an important step toward implementing Trump’s 15-point plan to end the war in Gaza and establish a subsequent political arrangement. Kushner met for more than two hours with a delegation led by Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya.

Kushner was joined by Nikolai Mladenov, director-general of Trump’s Board of Peace, and former British prime minister Tony Blair. Although the United States officially designates Hamas as a banned terrorist organization, analysts said Hamas cannot be completely excluded from any lasting settlement over Gaza’s future. The plan calls for a phased halt to military operations, gradual deactivation and storage of Hamas weapons, Israeli troop withdrawal, deployment of an international stabilization force, and a Palestinian technocratic administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan, saying Israeli forces would not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. Hamas said it was prepared to accept the plan but demanded that Israel first meet ceasefire terms and stop attacks. Saudi Arabia and seven other countries criticized Israel’s rejection in a joint statement. Disputes over the sequence of disarmament, troop withdrawal and ending the war remain unresolved.