Jared Kushner Presses Hamas Leaders in Cairo to Disarm and Relinquish Power

Jared Kushner, an advisor to US President Donald Trump, met with Hamas leaders in Egypt on Sunday to press the organization to implement its commitments to disarmament. According to a report by Axios, this was Kushner's first meeting with Hamas officials since the agreement to end the war in Gaza was signed last October. The meeting included Nickolay Mladenov, high representative of the 'Board of Peace,' and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya participated alongside officials from Egyptian intelligence, Qatar, and Turkey. Sources familiar with the talks stated the meeting aimed to turn Hamas's obligations regarding the demilitarization of Gaza into verifiable measures. These steps include transferring governing authority to a Palestinian technocratic government and ensuring Hamas does not participate in future governance. The Board of Peace is also seeking the decommissioning of Hamas's military infrastructure and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force. The board is reportedly seeking corresponding Israeli withdrawals from parts of Gaza and an acceleration of humanitarian aid. Kushner is expected to travel to Israel on Monday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.