For years, the US refused contact with Hamas, classifying it as a terrorist organization. However, the Trump administration has increasingly become comfortable with direct contact in hopes of ending what it has described as a genocidal war on Gaza.

Following the talks with Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya met separately with Egypt’s Rashad, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Kushner met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The Egyptian president’s office noted that the two discussed Egypt-US relations, with el-Sisi praising the strategic partnership and Kushner commending the close coordination and el-Sisi’s role in regional stability.

On Sunday, the foreign ministers of eight nations-Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia-condemned Israel’s rejection of the roadmap. They branded the rejection a “direct assault” on US-led peace efforts and Palestinian statehood, warning that Israel bears full responsibility for derailing the plan. The ministers urged Washington to enforce compliance and insisted that only a two-state solution on 1967 borders can bring lasting stability.

A senior Israeli official stated that Kushner and Mladenov were scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Monday. The official noted Israel’s concern regarding Washington’s demand to end targeted assassinations of Hamas fighters.

Trump announced the roadmap last month, calling it a breakthrough to end the war, which both sides had initially agreed to. The plan calls for an immediate cessation of military operations, Hamas disarming as Israeli troops withdraw, and Gaza’s rebuilding under a new civilian Palestinian administration. Hamas agreed to the plan to avoid war resumption but insisted implementation depends on Israel meeting its commitments first.

Despite scaling back attacks earlier this month, Israel has resumed air strikes on Gaza in recent days, violating the October 2025 ceasefire. At least five Palestinians were injured on Sunday after Israeli strikes hit a tent encampment in Khan Younis and an apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian official sources report that Israeli fire has killed more than 1,250 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect, with the total death toll since October 2023 exceeding 73,300.

Gaza Ceasefire Efforts Stalled by Continued Violence

The diplomatic push led by Jared Kushner highlights the deepening divide between US-mediated peace objectives and on-the-ground realities in Gaza. While international mediators and regional powers urge compliance with the roadmap, Israel’s continued military operations and rejection of the plan suggest that the ceasefire remains fragile. The ongoing violence, evidenced by recent injuries and deaths, undermines the trust necessary for the proposed transition of power and disarmament. Without a decisive shift in Israeli policy or a stronger enforcement mechanism from Washington, the roadmap risks further erosion, potentially leading to a prolonged humanitarian crisis and renewed cycles of conflict in the region.