2 weeks ago
Kushner's Gaza talks with Israel, Hamas end without breakthrough
Some very important people are trying to help stop a big fight between Israel and a group called Hamas in a place called Gaza.
A man named Jared Kushner, who works for the U.S. President, talked to leaders from both sides.
He met with Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and with Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt.
They talked about a plan to end the fighting and rebuild Gaza.
But the two sides cannot agree.
Israel says Hamas must give up all its weapons before Israel stops fighting.
Hamas says Israel must stop attacking and leave first.
The leaders did agree that an American general would watch over Hamas giving up its weapons.
They also agreed to make groups to talk about disarmament and clean water.
But no big agreement was reached yet.
Jared Kushner wrapped up two days of meetings with Israeli and Hamas leaders in Jerusalem and Egypt, with no breakthrough apparent.
Netanyahu rejected the US roadmap, insisting Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed, including of light weapons.
Hamas said it agreed to the roadmap but implementation depends on Israel first halting attacks and withdrawing.
Israel and the Board of Peace agreed an American general will oversee Hamas disarmament and set up working groups on disarmament and public health.
Over 1,200 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since October, according to Gazan health officials and the Israeli military.
- Who
- Jared Kushner, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas political leader Khalil Al-Hayya, and Board of Peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov.
- What
- Two days of meetings to revive Trump's Gaza plan ended without a breakthrough, with both sides dug in over disarmament and Israeli withdrawal.
- Where
- Jerusalem, Israel, and Egypt.
- When
- Monday, August 17, following a Sunday meeting in Egypt.
- Why
- Both sides dispute the sequencing of Trump's plan: Israel demands full Hamas disarmament before withdrawal and reconstruction, while Hamas demands Israel first halt attacks and withdraw.
Hamas
Israel
Disarmament and reconstruction sequencing
Hamas
Hamas says implementation depends on Israel first meeting its commitments, including halting attacks and withdrawing, and has agreed in principle to hand over weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee.
Israel
Israel insists Gaza's disarmament should be prompt and completed before any reconstruction, and will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed, including of light weapons.
Military withdrawal
Hamas
Hamas demands Israel stop military operations and withdraw to the so-called 'yellow line' before implementation of the plan begins.
Israel
Netanyahu insists the military will not withdraw from the demarcation line set out in the October ceasefire and will continue operations in Gaza as it sees necessary.
Weapons policy
Hamas
Hamas has refused to give up its weapons and links the surrender of heavier weapons to progress toward a Palestinian state.
Israel
Israel demands full disarmament; the Board of Peace indicated rifles would be prohibited but some personal weapons could be permitted under Palestinian law.
Key facts
- Key figures
- Jared Kushner, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khalil Al-Hayya, Nikolay Mladenov
- Location
- Jerusalem, Israel; Egypt
- Date
- August 17 (Monday)
- Casualties since October
- Over 1,200 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza
- Israeli troop control
- About 60% of the Gaza Strip
- Israeli election
- October 27 national election
- Agreed working groups
- Disarmament and demilitarization; sanitation, clean water and public health
- Disarmament oversight
- American general to supervise Hamas weapons handover; International Stabilization Force led by Major General Jasper Jeffers
Quotes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
“"The first step toward the demilitarisation of the Strip would be to require Hamas to hand over its weapons for decommissioning under the supervision of an American general."”
livemint.com
“The reconstruction of Gaza would not begin until Hamas is fully disarmed, including of light weapons.”
theprint.in








