Jared Kushner meets Netanyahu to seek Israeli support for Gaza peace plan

Jared Kushner, the senior adviser to former President Donald Trump and his son‑in‑law, traveled to Israel this week to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The purpose of the meeting, officials said, was to persuade the Israeli government to endorse a peace proposal that the United States has been promoting for the Gaza conflict.

The discussion came on the heels of a series of informal talks involving Hamas, which have been described by regional observers as tentative steps toward a broader cease‑fire framework. While the details of those talks remain private, they appear to have opened a narrow diplomatic window that Kushner hopes to use to advance the US‑backed plan.

Kushner’s agenda reportedly focused on three core elements of the proposal: a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip, a reconstruction package funded by international donors, and a security arrangement that would involve an expanded monitoring mechanism to prevent further rocket fire. The envoy also sought assurances that Israel would have a role in overseeing the implementation of the plan, a point that has historically been a sticking issue for Netanyahu’s government.

Netanyahu, who has previously expressed caution about external proposals that might limit Israel’s security options, is said to have listened to the American envoy’s arguments but did not commit to a public endorsement. Israeli officials indicated that the prime minister would consult with his security cabinet before taking any formal position.

The meeting underscores the Trump administration’s continued effort to shape the diplomatic landscape in the Middle East, even as its broader regional strategy faces criticism. By engaging directly with the Israeli leadership, Kushner aims to secure a partner that can lend credibility to the plan and potentially bring Hamas back to the negotiating table.

If successful, the proposal could become the foundation for a longer‑term resolution to the Gaza crisis, though its implementation would depend on a range of political and security calculations on both sides.

Original reporting: BBC News.