Inside Kushner's Hamas meeting: What comes next in Gaza
Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to disarm and demilitarize Gaza in a meeting with President Trump's adviser Jared Kushner in Egypt on Sunday, according to a source with direct knowledge.
Why it matters: Kushner used the rare direct meeting to press Hamas for tangible steps on disarmament , warning that Israel doesn't trust the group to follow through.
The source described the 90-minute meeting as "very productive" at making sure Hamas takes practical steps to fulfill its commitments.
The White House and Trump's Board of Peace are pushing Hamas and Israel to move to the next phase of the U.S.
20-point peace plan.
Kushner is expected to visit Israel on Monday and meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss "corresponding steps" Israel must take, the source said.
Behind the scenes: Hamas leaders asked Kushner to tell Trump they remained committed to disarming, the source said.
"We thanked them for the commitment, but we want to see real efforts and not just words," the source added.
"It was important for Kushner to lock them into this commitment in person." Kushner also thanked Hamas leaders for their cooperation and efforts to recover the bodies of all deceased Israeli hostages.
Hamas leaders thanked the Trump administration and the Board of Peace for their efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Who was there: Board of Peace high representative Nickolay Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also a member of the board, and Board of Peace senior advisers Aryeh Lightstone and Liran Tancman joined Kushner in the meeting.
Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya attended alongside Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi and a senior Turkish official.
Flashback: It was Kushner's first meeting with Hamas leaders since the Gaza agreement was reached last October.
Zoom in: Kushner told Hamas leaders they need to take tangible steps on disarmament if they want Israel to take steps of its own, the source said.
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