Netanyahu Holds Four-Hour Meeting with Jared Kushner on Gaza Ceasefire Framework

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for four hours on Monday with Jared Kushner, former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, who is working on a final framework to end the war in Gaza. The meeting began privately and later included Nikolay Mladenov, head of the UN Peace Council, Tony Blair, and other representatives. According to an Israeli diplomatic source, Lebanon and the West Bank were not discussed in the expanded meeting, and it is unclear if they were raised in the private session.

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement in English saying that Netanyahu and the Peace Council held in-depth, constructive talks and agreed to establish two working groups: one focused on disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, which Israel and the Peace Council are determined to complete quickly before any reconstruction; the other on sanitation, clean water, and public health issues affecting Gaza residents and Israelis alike. Kushner arrived in Israel the day before after meeting senior Hamas officials in Egypt.

Both sides agreed that Gaza's reconstruction cannot proceed without Hamas fully disarming throughout the Strip. Netanyahu demanded that Hamas first hand over its weapons for destruction under the supervision of the International Stabilization Force commander, General Jasper Jeffers, with US oversight. A Peace Council official confirmed Israel's security concerns were professionally presented and taken seriously, emphasizing the shared goal of Hamas's complete disarmament and Gaza's demilitarization before any Israeli withdrawal.

The official added that Hamas must demonstrate real disarmament steps within weeks, not just on paper, or face international political backing for Israel to act against Hamas's armament. Israel insists the IDF will maintain its "yellow line" separating its controlled areas from Hamas territory to prevent threats. Despite US discomfort with Israel's ongoing targeted killings in Gaza, Netanyahu stressed that all involved in the October 7 attacks remain targets.

The meeting also addressed fears of a public health disaster, agreeing on plans to prevent groundwater and coastal pollution. Netanyahu criticized Kushner's prior meeting with Hamas leaders, calling them "architects of October 7," to which Kushner did not respond. Shin Bet chief David Zini and Military Intelligence head Shlomi Binder briefed Kushner and others on Gaza's situation and Hamas's strengthening, including Turkey's funding of Hamas.

Kushner and Mladenov also met with President Isaac Herzog, who shared footage from their talks. Herzog praised the Peace Council's efforts led by Trump and Kushner to advance Gaza's future, emphasizing Israel's security as central to the plan. He encouraged continued work toward a better future for all children in the region.