Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
High-Stakes Diplomatic Showdown in Jerusalem
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to accept small tactical steps in Gaza. A United States official confirmed the strategy aims to verify if Hamas is genuinely committed to its demilitarization promises.
The tense four-hour meeting took place amid deep skepticism from Netanyahu regarding the newly proposed American peace framework. Upcoming domestic elections scheduled for October have made the Israeli leader highly reluctant to offer major concessions.
Addressing Core Skepticism and Past Precedents
Netanyahu questioned the American delegation about their recent direct negotiations with Hamas leaders in Egypt over the weekend. Kushner defended the outreach, noting that direct talks last year successfully secured the release of remaining hostages.
The American delegation featured prominent international figures, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior advisers. Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace High Representative, Nikolay Mladenov, also participated in the tense strategy session.
Public Opinion and the Timeline for Reconstruction
Netanyahu presented Kushner with two internal public opinion polls tracking the sentiments of the Israeli electorate. The data revealed that a clear majority of citizens oppose rebuilding Gaza before total demilitarization occurs.
Kushner reassured the prime minister that Washington expects reconstruction efforts to begin only after disarmament concludes safely. The proposed plan requires Hamas to transfer its weaponry to a technocratic Palestinian government for destruction.
Defining Imminent Threats and Resolving Friction Points
A noticeable friction point emerged when President Donald Trump told Fox News that Israel must halt its airstrikes. White House officials later clarified that Trump was specifically referencing strikes not directed at immediate security threats.
Defining what constitutes an imminent threat remains a major point of divergence between Washington and the Israeli military. Israeli intelligence chiefs presented Kushner with detailed briefings documenting recent compliance violations by local militant factions.
New Deconfliction Mechanisms and Future Working Groups
To prevent active escalation, both sides agreed to establish a joint deconfliction mechanism involving Egyptian mediators. This specialized communication system will allow Israel to report emerging threats and monitor Hamas activities directly.
The two delegations concluded the summit by forming dual working groups focused on disarmament and humanitarian relief. Netanyahu’s office later issued a formal statement reiterating that complete demilitarization must precede any financial reconstruction.
