Kushner: Gaza Disarmament Biggest Hurdle to Trump's Peace Plan

Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor, stated that the United States and Israel share a common vision for the future of the Gaza Strip, but warned that disarming the territory will be extremely difficult due to the sheer volume of weaponry.

Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, Kushner revealed that Washington is only beginning to grasp the extent of Gaza's armament, describing its scale as "beyond comprehension" and thus making disarmament "not easy."

Kushner emphasized that any governance arrangements for Gaza cannot commence until the issue of weapons is addressed, as a government cannot operate in an area still rife with arms. He also mentioned that the U.S. had been working with Hamas for over four months, and that the group had signed an agreement for Gaza's disarmament as part of the Trump administration's roadmap for the region.

These remarks follow a rare meeting Kushner held in August with Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, alongside mediators, aimed at advancing the second phase of the Gaza roadmap. Reports suggest this plan includes Hamas's disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and the transfer of Gaza's administration to a technocratic Palestinian committee, alongside reconstruction efforts and the deployment of an international stabilization force.

However, Kushner's August talks with Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not yield a breakthrough, with disagreements persisting over the sequence of commitments, particularly Hamas's disarmament and Israel's withdrawal.

Kushner also commented on Israeli politics, noting that while the U.S. agrees with Israel on the "final status" of Gaza, internal political issues complicate progress. He cited upcoming Israeli elections as a factor adding complexity but affirmed the U.S. administration's strong determination to overcome these obstacles and advance its plan.