U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, met with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya on August 16, 2026, as part of a new diplomatic effort to restart peace talks in Gaza. The meeting took place in Egypt and lasted over two hours. Other officials from mediating countries like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey were also present.
Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the next day. Netanyahu had recently rejected a 15-point U.S.-backed peace plan, which aims to get Hamas to disarm and for Israel to pull back from Gaza territory.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with millions of people still affected by the ongoing conflict. The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been stalled over disagreements about Hamas’ disarmament. Regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have criticized Israel’s rejection of the peace plan, calling it a setback for efforts to bring stability to Gaza.
During the meeting with al-Hayya, Kushner focused on ensuring Hamas’ commitment to the peace plan, especially regarding disarmament, before his discussion with Netanyahu. Hamas has agreed to start negotiations but has demanded that Israel stop its attacks and withdraw from certain areas of Gaza before moving forward.
Netanyahu is facing political pressure as he prepares for an October election and deals with a coalition that takes a hardline stance on Gaza. It remains unclear if he will take decisive steps toward peace before the anniversary of last year’s Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The U.S. and international mediators are working to keep the peace process alive, but progress remains uncertain as both sides continue to hold firm to their positions.