U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner has warned Hamas that disarmament remains essential to advancing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace roadmap. Hamas disarmament now stands at the center of Washington’s diplomatic efforts as officials seek progress toward ending the conflict.
Kushner made the warning after holding discussions with Hamas representatives in Cairo and Israeli officials in Tel Aviv. He described the meetings as part of an intensive diplomatic push designed to move negotiations into their next stage.
According to Kushner, Hamas representatives reaffirmed their stated commitment to Trump’s broader peace proposal and an accompanying roadmap. However, he emphasized that Washington will judge those assurances according to concrete actions rather than diplomatic statements.
Kushner said Hamas must demonstrate that it intends to surrender its weapons and dismantle its military infrastructure. Otherwise, he warned, Israel could receive stronger American and international backing for renewed military action against the group.
The meetings marked one of Kushner’s rare direct encounters with Hamas representatives during the ongoing negotiations. Although he described the discussions as cordial, he acknowledged that Washington remains deeply skeptical of Hamas because of its history of violence.
Kushner said Hamas representatives offered assurances during the meeting, but emphasized that implementation would ultimately determine their credibility. Therefore, he said negotiators intend to give the group an opportunity to demonstrate whether those promises reflect genuine intentions.
The proposed framework includes several interconnected elements, including a ceasefire process, Gaza’s demilitarization and changes to Palestinian governance. Additionally, the plan calls for Israeli troop withdrawals and international assistance aimed at rebuilding the territory.
However, major disagreements continue to threaten progress between Israel and Hamas. Israel wants comprehensive disarmament before accepting additional withdrawals, while Hamas has argued that several measures should proceed simultaneously.
Kushner subsequently traveled to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. Their discussions reportedly focused heavily on concerns surrounding the proposed timeline and the practical implementation of the roadmap.
Despite those disagreements, Kushner described the meeting with Israeli officials as productive and said several concerns received further clarification. He also stressed that Washington would continue supporting Israel’s ability to respond to immediate security threats.
At the same time, Kushner said the United States would not support extensive reconstruction in Gaza before meaningful demilitarization begins. He indicated that officials hope to see initial progress within approximately thirty days, followed by further steps during subsequent months.
The proposed timeline could include removing weapons and addressing tunnel infrastructure over the next several months. Consequently, Kushner argued that successful implementation could substantially reduce Israel’s long-term security concerns.
For Israel, the issue remains closely connected to whether Hamas can genuinely surrender its military capabilities. Meanwhile, Palestinians and regional governments face the broader challenge of establishing governance while securing humanitarian assistance and reconstruction.
The conflict began after Hamas launched its October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people. The attack also resulted in the capture of more than 240 hostages, triggering a prolonged Israeli military campaign.
Nearly three years later, Kushner said communities throughout the region appear increasingly exhausted by continued fighting. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that rebuilding trust remains difficult after years of violence and political confrontation.
The U.S. envoy also expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to advance difficult Middle East negotiations. He argued that the president remains committed to pursuing agreements that previously appeared politically unattainable.
For now, Hamas disarmament remains the central test facing the proposed peace framework. The next stage will depend largely on whether Hamas takes concrete steps toward surrendering weapons and dismantling military infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials must determine whether those measures provide sufficient security guarantees for further withdrawals. The competing demands leave negotiators facing a narrow path toward implementing the broader agreement.
