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.
Mr. 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).
Mr. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a closed-door meeting. Earlier reporting noted: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week rejected the 15-point plan in a rare public show of defiance against the Trump administration, Israel’s closest ally.
The foreign ministers’ statement called on the Board of Peace and the US to take “immediate and concrete measures” to keep any party from obstructing the plan’s implementation. Kushner’s meeting with the Hamas leader is aimed at ensuring the group’s commitment to the road map, particularly disarmament, before his meeting with Netanyahu, the regional official said. Earlier reporting noted: US negotiator and President Donald Trump ‘s son-in-law Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with the Hamas chief on Sunday in a new diplomatic effort to make progress in the stalled Gaza ceasefire. Kushner will meet with Israel’s prime minister on Monday. Earlier reporting noted: Now Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair and the director of the US-created Board of Peace overseeing the ceasefire, Nickolay Mladenov, are set to meet with Netanyahu on Monday, according to a source familiar with the plans and a diplomatic source.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week rejected the 15-point plan in a rare public show of defiance against the Trump administration, Israel’s closest ally. Mr. Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Board of Peace director Nickolay Mladenov are to meet with Mr.
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. Netanyahu Monday, according to a source familiar with the plans and a diplomatic source — both speaking on condition of anonymity. Several regional powers including Saudi Arabia and the UAE have issued a statement condemning Israel’s rejection of the road map, saying that “Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza.”
