Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East envoy, met with Hamas leaders in Egypt on Sunday to advance a proposed roadmap for Gaza. The meeting aimed to bridge differences over Trump's plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously described as "unacceptable."

Hamas reiterated its commitment to the deal during the talks, according to diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP. However, Kushner pressed for the disarmament of Hamas and for the organization to cease its role in governing Gaza. The United States classifies Hamas as a "terrorist organisation" and has historically refused contact, but the Trump administration has shown increased willingness for direct engagement in pursuit of ending the conflict.

Sources indicated that the objective of the meeting was to translate Hamas's commitment to disarmament into "concrete, verifiable steps." Alongside Kushner, Trump's high representative Nickolay Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, both members of the "Board of Peace," were reportedly present. Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya attended the meeting, as did Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi, and a senior Turkish official.

The implications of this meeting are significant, as it represents a direct engagement between a high-level U.S. envoy and Hamas, bypassing traditional diplomatic channels. The success of Kushner's mission hinges on bridging the gap between Hamas's stated commitments and Israel's security concerns, particularly regarding the disarmament of the group.

Earlier on Sunday, al-Hayya had met with Egyptian intelligence chief Rashad. Separately, Kushner met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, according to a statement from the president's office. A senior Israeli official confirmed that Kushner and Mladenov were scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday.

Israel has expressed concerns over potential U.S. demands to end targeted assassinations of Hamas fighters. Trump's peace plan advocates for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza, followed by Hamas disarmament as Israeli forces withdraw. The plan also envisions the rebuilding of Gaza under a new civilian Palestinian administration.

Despite a scaling back of attacks earlier in the month, Israel has resumed air strikes in Gaza in recent days. The ongoing military operations add a layer of complexity to the diplomatic efforts, potentially impacting the viability of a ceasefire and the subsequent disarmament process envisioned in Trump's plan.

Neither Hamas nor the U.S. envoy's office has officially confirmed the meeting took place. The diplomatic sources spoke on the condition of anonymity. The situation remains fluid, with further discussions anticipated between Kushner and Israeli leadership.