In a rare diplomatic engagement, Jared Kushner, senior advisor and Middle East envoy for former U.S. President Donald Trump, met with a delegation from Hamas in Egypt over the weekend. The discussions centered on advancing a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, according to a Palestinian official who spoke with the BBC.

The meeting, held on Sunday, included Khalil al-Hayya, the newly appointed leader of Hamas. It marks the first high-level contact between the Trump administration’s representatives and Hamas since a ceasefire agreement was reached for the Gaza Strip last year. The talks reportedly involved key figures such as Nickolay Mladenov, a Board of Peace envoy, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—countries actively mediating in the conflict—were also present.

The discussions focused on practical steps toward disarming Hamas, withdrawing Israeli forces, and addressing urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. No official statement has been released following the meeting, but sources indicate that these issues were at the forefront of the agenda.

While in Egypt, Kushner also met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Israeli media reports suggest that Kushner, Mladenov, and Blair are scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday in an effort to push forward Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza.

Netanyahu has consistently stated that Israel will not consider withdrawing its forces until Hamas is fully disarmed. Last week, he rejected the 15-point plan put forward by Trump’s Board of Peace, which calls for Israeli troop withdrawals and the establishment of a new civilian Palestinian administration to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. "Israel rejects the Board of Peace’s 15-point document on Gaza," Netanyahu declared. "The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

The Board of Peace, initially formed as an international body to address the Gaza conflict, has since expanded its mandate to include other global disputes. Trump currently leads the organization, which has positioned itself as a mediator in the region.

In response to Israel’s rejection of the plan, eight Muslim-majority nations—Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia—issued a joint statement on Sunday. The statement criticized Israel’s stance, warning that it undermines Trump’s efforts to broker peace in the region.

The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10 of last year, remains in place. However, tensions persist, with the Israel Defense Forces conducting several airstrikes in Gaza since then. The most recent strikes targeted areas in Khan Yunis and Nuseirat, with Israel accusing Hamas of violating the truce.

The ongoing conflict was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, whose figures are regarded as credible by the United Nations, more than 73,000 people have been killed in the territory since the war began.

The United Nations estimates that around 1.9 million people—approximately 90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced as a result of the conflict. The staggering scale of displacement underscores the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the crisis.

While Netanyahu’s rejection of the U.S. plan may appear definitive, analysts suggest it is unlikely to be the final word. The coming days will reveal whether diplomatic efforts can bridge the gap between Israel’s security demands and the broader push for peace in Gaza.