Kushner meets with Hamas and al-Sisi

Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of the far-right party Otzma Yehudith, has called for increased targeted killings in the Gaza Strip, suggesting up to 40 such operations per night. The remarks were made during a podcast interview and came amid ongoing peace talks involving U.S. envoy Jared Kushner. Ben-Gvir stated that he believes targeted assassinations should be carried out against Palestinians in Gaza, including individuals who are not directly threatening Israeli security. His comments contrast sharply with those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously opposed any withdrawal from Gaza until the Hamas group is disarmed. The calls for more lethal actions come just before new mediation efforts led by Kushner, who is the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kushner has been conducting discussions in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and representatives of the Hamas militant organization. According to reports, Kushner will meet with Netanyahu later in the day, alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the High Representative of the Peace Council, Nikolaj Mladenow. Netanyahu has consistently rejected a proposed plan for the future of the Gaza Strip known as the “Board of Peace.” He emphasized that Israel would not withdraw its forces from Gaza unless Hamas is fully disarmed. This stance aligns with the Israeli government’s demand for the complete removal of weapons from the coastal region, fearing they could fall back into Hamas hands in the future. In response, a senior Hamas representative affirmed the group's commitment to the Gaza roadmap. Meanwhile, Iranian Vice Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi condemned Ben-Gvir’s statements on social media, highlighting international concern over the escalating rhetoric. The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East, with multiple actors pursuing their strategic interests amidst the ongoing conflict. Kushner’s recent activities include meetings in Egypt with Egyptian officials and intermediaries from Qatar and Turkey. These talks involve high-level discussions aimed at finding a resolution to the crisis in Gaza. The involvement of figures like al-Sisi and Blair indicates the significance of these negotiations, which seek to address both immediate security concerns and long-term political solutions. In addition to the Gaza-related developments, other global issues have emerged. U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to significantly reduce military exercises with South Korea, citing costs and the need to avoid sending signals perceived as hostile toward North Korea. This decision reflects broader shifts in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s administration. Separately, the Iranian military has placed a bounty on U.S. soldiers captured or killed within its borders, offering $30,000 for each individual and doubling the amount if the captor is a woman. This move highlights the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly following violations of a June agreement aimed at ending conflicts across multiple fronts. In Europe, efforts continue to combat wildfires in the High Venn nature reserve along the German-Belgian border. Authorities have evacuated residents due to potential smoke exposure, while investigations into the cause of the fires are underway. Meanwhile, two fatalities were reported in wildfires on the Greek island of Salamis near Athens, prompting evacuations of hundreds of people. In Italy, four paintings by the Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina were stolen from a museum in Messina, Sicily. The artworks, which are part of the museum’s collection, remain missing as authorities investigate the break-in.