Kushner meets Hamas leaders to push Gaza demilitarization
President Trump's envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leaders in Egypt on Sunday to press them to carry out their commitment to disarm , according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
Why it matters: This was Kushner's first meeting with Hamas leaders since the signing of the agreement to end the war in Gaza last October .
The unusual meeting came as the White House and Trump's Board of Peace push both 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: Board of Peace high representative Nickolay Mladenov and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who is also a member of the board 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.
A source with knowledge of the meeting said the objective was "translating" Hamas' obligations to demilitarize Gaza "into concrete, verifiable steps." Zoom in: The source said these steps to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza include transfering governing authority to the Palestinian technocratic government and ensuring Hamas has no role in Gaza's future governance.
The Board of Peace wants Hamas to begin decommissioning weapons and military infrastructure, allow the International Stabilization Force to deploy and facilitate Gaza's recovery and reconstruction without theft or intimidation of Palestinians involved in the efforts, the source said.
The board also wants Israel to conduct "corresponding withdrawals" in Gaza if Hamas starts disarming and to accelerate humanitarian relief to the enclave.
"There can be no ambiguity: Hamas must relinquish governing authority and all weapons and military infrastructure.
And Gaza can never again be a source of terror for Israel," the source said.
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