Jared Kushner and Nikolay Mladenov Plan Talks in Israel on Gaza Peace Efforts

Jared Kushner, senior advisor and son-in-law to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to visit Israel next week for the first time since January to discuss the situation in Gaza. Kushner will be accompanied by Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Their visit aims to advance the next phase of the Trump administration's peace plan focused on disarming Hamas and potentially facilitating an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The visit comes amid skepticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government regarding the American plan, especially with Israeli elections scheduled for October, making the issue politically sensitive. A senior American official said, "We agree on the strategic goal, but Israel has expressed reservations, and we want to ensure coordination." The official also noted that Netanyahu's recent public rejection of the plan was seen as election politics rather than a policy shift, adding, "We understand Bibi's political needs as long as he continues to restrain attacks in Gaza."

Two weeks ago, President Trump announced that his peace council had reached an agreement with Hamas for disarmament and transferring civilian and security control in Gaza to a new technocratic Palestinian government. Despite Netanyahu's public dismissal of the plan under coalition and political pressure, he reportedly promised Kushner privately to give the plan a chance and to restrain military operations in Gaza to enable the peace process.

In recent days, there has been a shift in Israeli military policy. After a period of limited strikes, the political echelon approved more targeted killings in Gaza, leading to an increase in attacks. On the day of the report, two airstrikes targeted Hamas operatives in Khan Yunis and Gaza City. Israeli officials denied claims that political leaders had blocked such operations recently, stating all requests were approved.

Kushner and Mladenov plan to meet Netanyahu and other senior officials to seek understandings on continuing the peace plan's implementation. Kushner may also visit other Middle Eastern countries to engage regional leaders involved in the Gaza issue. The White House is keen to avoid a political stalemate in Israel that could stall the peace plan's progress, while Netanyahu balances political pressures ahead of elections with maintaining relations with the U.S.