Hamas Sets Conditions for Political Transition as US Pushes for Ceasefire in Gaza

In a meeting held on Sunday, Hamas presented Jared Kushner with several conditions for moving to the next phase in Gaza, aiming to transition Hamas into a purely political movement. This shift is intended to gain legitimacy and acceptance from the international community. Hamas demanded a halt to targeted killings of its operatives in Gaza and the cessation of arrests in the West Bank to enable free participation in upcoming Palestinian elections. Additionally, Hamas requested that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw to a line that would leave Israel control over approximately 40% of Gaza's territory.

Saudi Al-Arabiya reported that Kushner and Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, rejected Hamas's proposal to store weapons within Gaza. Instead, they insisted that Hamas disarm and transfer its weapons out of the territory, dismantling its military infrastructure.

Israeli security officials anticipate that the United States will pressure Israel to stop attacks in Gaza as part of advancing to the next stage. Despite recent Israeli Air Force strikes targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants shortly before Kushner and Mladenov's meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel insists on maintaining full operational freedom to continue eliminating active militants. Israeli authorities emphasize that reconstruction efforts in Gaza will only begin after Hamas disarms and that any Israeli withdrawal beyond the current line will be contingent on verification by an external party under the UN peace council that the area is free of Hamas infrastructure and militants.

Security sources indicated that upcoming meetings with Netanyahu reflect US President Donald Trump's desire to achieve a breakthrough in Gaza in the coming months. Meanwhile, preparations for a potential second phase of conflict continue at the IDF command center in Kiryat Gat, despite Netanyahu's public assurances.