Hamas Leaders Commit to Disarmament in Rare Meeting with Jared Kushner

Senior Hamas officials met with Jared Kushner, the US President's envoy, in Egypt for a 90-minute discussion described as "very productive" by an informed source. During the meeting, Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to disarmament and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Kushner, who arrived in Israel later that evening for further talks with Israeli officials, emphasized the need for Hamas to take concrete steps before Israel would respond with reciprocal actions. "We want to see real efforts, not just words," the source quoted Kushner as saying.

Hamas expressed frustration over Israeli policies in Gaza, including ongoing attacks, while Kushner reminded them it took four months for Hamas to agree to disarm. He stressed that the Israeli side remains skeptical about Hamas's willingness to disarm, setting a high bar for trust. Kushner made clear that there is no room for negotiation on the principle of disarmament itself, but if Hamas demonstrates tangible progress, the US will ensure Israel honors its commitments.

Additionally, Hamas leaders indicated their readiness to transfer civilian control of Gaza to the Palestinian technocratic government once it is prepared to operate there. During the meeting, Kushner thanked Hamas for cooperating in efforts to return the bodies of deceased Israeli captives, while Hamas acknowledged the Trump administration and the "Peace Council" for improving Gaza's humanitarian conditions in recent months.

Kushner and his team also met separately with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and members of the Palestinian technocratic government. El-Sisi highlighted that much of the regional instability in recent years stems from the situation in Gaza and stressed that stabilizing Gaza would contribute to broader regional stability.