Trump envoy Jared Kushner meets Hamas leader to push Gaza peace plan



A Palestinian woman walking with children along a path lined with piles of rubble in Gaza City
About 1.9 million people—90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced since the war began, according to UN estimates.



US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas delegation led by Khalil al‑Hayya in Egypt, according to a Palestinian official speaking to the BBC.



The discussion centers on the Board of Peace’s 15‑point plan that calls for Hamas’s complete disarmament, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and reconstruction of Gaza under a new civilian Palestinian administration.



Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the plan, insisting that any troop withdrawal would only happen after Hamas is fully disarmed—a stance the Board of Peace warns could prolong suffering and environmental degradation in the region.



The meeting—a first at this level since last year’s ceasefire agreement—also featured Board of Peace envoys Nickolai Mladenov and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, all long‑time mediators in the conflict.



While no official statement has yet been released, reports suggest that concrete actions could be outlined to decommission Hamas’s weapons, roll back Israeli occupation forces, and launch humanitarian initiatives—key steps toward the sustainable rebuilding of Gaza’s infrastructure, including clean water, renewable energy projects and resilient housing.



The meeting follows a broader diplomatic push, with eight Muslim-majority countries condemning Israel’s rejection and calling for a renewed commitment to a peaceful, eco‑resilient future for Gaza.



Even as Israeli strikes against Gaza continue—most recent on October 31 after accusations of ceasefire violations—the new dialogue offers a potential path toward reducing violence and fostering an environment‑sensitive reconstruction that can meet the needs of the 1.9 million displaced residents.