Jared Kushner ended two days of talks in Jerusalem on Monday without reaching a breakthrough on a Gaza peace plan [1].
The failure of these negotiations underscores the deep divide between Israel and Hamas, leaving a proposed U.S.-led peace initiative stalled as hostilities persist.
Kushner, acting as the envoy for President Donald Trump, spent two days [1] meeting with Israeli officials and Hamas leaders. The mission concluded on Monday, Aug. 17 [3]. During the visit, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for nearly four hours [2]. He also held a separate two-hour meeting with Hamas representatives.
Despite the extensive dialogue, both parties remained firm in their core demands. Israel said it will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed [4]. Conversely, Hamas leaders refused to hand over weapons until Israel halts its attacks [4].
Kushner emphasized the U.S. position regarding the reconstruction of the region. "We will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until Hamas disarms," Kushner said [5].
The diplomatic effort was intended to find a path toward a sustainable ceasefire, and a long-term governance structure for the territory. However, the insistence on simultaneous disarmament and withdrawal created an impasse that the envoy could not resolve during the short visit. Kushner departed Israel shortly after the final sessions ended on Monday [3].
“"We will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until Hamas disarms."”
The collapse of these talks indicates that neither Israel nor Hamas is currently willing to make the foundational concessions required for a ceasefire. By linking reconstruction and withdrawal directly to total disarmament, the US administration is signaling a hardline approach that mirrors Israel's security requirements, which likely increases the difficulty of securing Hamas's cooperation in the near term.
