Kushner Negotiates Hamas Disarmament Timeline Amid Israeli Strikes

U.S. Special Envoy Jared Kushner concluded a diplomatic mission to Egypt and Israel, establishing a framework for the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Following meetings with Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Kushner announced that the surrender of weapons and the filling of tunnel networks could begin within 30 days. The process would be supervised by Major General Jasper Jeffers of the International Stabilization Force, with weapons transferred via a Palestinian technocratic authority.

Despite the framework, a fundamental deadlock remains over sequencing. Hamas has expressed commitment to the 15-point roadmap but demands a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal as prerequisites. Conversely, Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the roadmap's sequencing, insisting that the Israeli military will not withdraw or allow reconstruction to begin until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. To manage the stalemate, the parties agreed to establish working groups focused on demilitarization and public health.

Violence escalated on August 18 when an Israeli drone strike hit a cafe in Gaza City's Shati district, killing at least six Palestinians, including a child. The Israel Defense Forces stated the strike targeted Hamas Nukhba force commanders. Hamas accused Netanyahu of deliberately sabotaging negotiations. Kushner has warned that if Hamas fails to disarm within 60 to 90 days, the United States will support further Israeli military operations to finish the job, while maintaining that Gaza will not be rebuilt until demilitarization occurs.