Kushner meets Hamas chief in Egypt to push Gaza peace plan

US envoy Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in a push to revive the stalled Gaza ceasefire process. The Hindu reports that Kushner is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The talks aim to salvage a US-backed road map under which Hamas would disarm and Israel would withdraw from Gaza.

Netanyahu has publicly rejected the plan, saying Israel will not leave any position until Hamas is completely disarmed. India Today reports that several regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have condemned Israel's rejection. The Hamas official said the group remains committed to the road map and is waiting for mediators to begin the 14-day negotiation period.

The outcome could affect around 2 million people in Gaza. Netanyahu faces a re-election fight on October 27. The renewed diplomacy now focuses on whether Hamas will commit to disarmament and whether Israel will back the road map.