Kushner’s Middle East Talks and Gaza Peace Plan

On August 17, 2026, Jared Kushner, son-in-law and envoy of President Donald Trump, engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These talks followed recent interactions with Hamas leaders as part of an effort to rekindle a peace plan for Gaza, which Israel previously dismissed. Kushner had met with a Hamas delegation in Cairo on Sunday. Details about the meeting with Netanyahu remain scarce.

The U.S. and Israel have expressed differences in their approaches to the future of the Palestinian region and the ongoing crisis in the West Bank. This diplomatic effort coincides with internal pressures facing Netanyahu before the October elections, particularly from far-right factions supporting his government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized peace efforts, suggesting aggressive military action in Gaza.

Netanyahu recently opposed a 15-point plan demanding Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. He insisted on military presence until Hamas disarms fully. Meanwhile, Hamas urged for international support against Israel’s refusal of the peace plan and emphasized their willingness to disarm dependent on recognizing a Palestinian state.

Kushner’s team in the Middle East included Nickolay Mladenov from the European Parliament and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Discussions aimed to align U.S. and Israeli views towards a demilitarized Hamas, with plans to address concerns raised by Netanyahu.

However, Israel shows reluctance towards the Trump-backed peace initiative. On a podcast, Ben-Gvir advocated for more aggressive military tactics in Gaza, claiming dehumanizing views towards Palestinians and calling for forced emigration. His remarks came after ongoing settler violence in the West Bank received criticism from U.S. officials, labeling the settlers as “Israeli terrorists.”

Violence continues to escalate, with over 1,200 deaths reported in Gaza since a ceasefire commenced. The Israeli military claims its operations target Hamas militants. The situation has prompted increased international scrutiny, particularly regarding human rights concerns in the ongoing conflict.