Kushner holds rare meeting with Hamas’ leader in bid to kickstart Trump’s Gaza plan

Jared Kushner, son-in-law and senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, held a rare meeting with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in El-Alamein, Egypt, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, to advance a Trump administration peace proposal for Gaza. This engagement aimed to push for Hamas's disarmament and the relinquishment of its governing authority in the Gaza Strip. The discussions also involved senior envoys from the Board of Peace, including Nickolay Mladenov and Tony Blair, along with diplomats from mediating nations like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

The meeting comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza just a week prior, expressing skepticism that Hamas would disarm. Despite Israel's rejection, Hamas had reportedly committed to the disarmament plan on July 30. Kushner's agenda included pressing Hamas to cease displays of force and to allow a smooth transfer of governance in Gaza to a new Palestinian technocratic government.

This marked Kushner's first direct meeting with Hamas leadership since a ceasefire and hostage release deal was finalized in October 2025. Trump administration officials have defended engaging with the U.S.-designated terror group as a necessary step for advancing Washington's peace initiative, although critics argue such meetings legitimize Hamas. Following the discussions with Hamas, Kushner is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel on Monday to address the next steps and corresponding actions from Israel.