President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday (August 17, 2026), a day after holding a rare meeting with Hamas’ leader in Cairo in a bid to push forward the U.S. president’s Gaza plan. U.S.
Mr. Netanyahu, whose ruling coalition is trailing in Israeli opinion polls ahead of an October national election, publicly rejected this month a U.S.-backed agreement that would see Hamas surrender its arms in exchange for Israel withdrawing from Gaza. Mr. But Mr. Mr. Kushner was joined in the Jerusalem meeting with Mr. Netanyahu by Nickolay Mladenov, Mr. However, there has so far been little progress, with Israel continuing to carry out strikes on Gaza despite agreeing to a ceasefire as part of Mr. Trump’s plan. Trump’s plan forward. Israel rejected that roadmap. Kushner and Mr. Mladenov. Mr. Mr.
Hamas last month agreed to a new U.S.-backed 15-point roadmap aimed at moving Mr. Earlier, a source said Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya had been present at some of the meetings in Cairo on Sunday (August 16, 2026) that mediators held with Mr. Kushner previously met Hamas officials alongside U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in October 2025, helping clinch a deal that led to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Earlier reporting noted: Kushner has rare meeting with Hamas chief on Gaza road map; to meet Netanyahu next U.S. negotiator and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday (August 16, 2026) in a fresh diplomatic push to advance the stalled Gaza ceasefire. Kushner will meet Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who is under pressure after rejecting the new 15-point, U.S.-backed Gaza road map — on Monday (August 17).
Trump had said the agreement would be carried out in phases, with Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza as disarmament proceeded and an ‘International Stabilisation Force’ worked with a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has said the country’s military will only withdraw once Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza have been completely disarmed. Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, the two sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. Trump said in late July a deal had been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Hamas has said it agreed to the plan but the deal’s implementation would depend on Israel first meeting its own commitments, including withdrawal and halting attacks. Earlier reporting noted: Hamas in a statement later called on mediators and the U.S.-created Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire to “compel” Israel to approve the road map for next steps.
Earlier reporting noted: Mr.
