The meeting took place as Washington works to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over implementation of the peace plan advanced by Trump. Hamas approved a US roadmap in late July aimed at launching the second phase of the agreement, which includes the disarming of the Palestinian movement and Israel's withdrawal from the territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the text and insisted on a "genuine" disarming of Hamas. According to sources who requested anonymity, representatives of the Hamas delegation and US negotiator Kushner met on Sunday in Egypt. Sources from the movement confirmed the meeting.
During the meeting, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the peace plan, according to the sources. Kushner, for his part, insisted on the total disarming of the Palestinian movement and that it not participate in a future Gaza government, the sources added.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, announced in July the dissolution of its civil administration and its intention to transfer responsibilities to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a body composed of Palestinian technocrats created by the international body to guarantee territorial transition. Kushner had previously met with mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, as well as with representatives of the international body, the Egyptian government reported.
For years, the United States refused to maintain contact with Hamas, which it classified as a terrorist organisation following the 7 October 2023 attack against Israel that triggered the war. The Trump administration, however, has shown greater willingness to negotiate directly, with the hope of ending the conflict and implementing a ceasefire agreement reached in October.