Jared Kushner, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, issued a firm warning to Hamas on Monday, delivering a clear ultimatum: the militant group must disarm in Gaza or risk losing U.S. support for an Israeli military operation to “finish the job.” Speaking to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Kushner outlined the stakes of ongoing negotiations aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which includes a phased ceasefire, demilitarization of Gaza, and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration. Kushner met with Hamas representatives in Cairo, alongside members of the newly formed Palestinian National Committee, a technocratic government designed to replace the current Hamas-led administration. During the meeting, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to Trump’s 20-point peace plan and the 15-point roadmap that has been under discussion for four months. This roadmap requires Hamas to surrender its weapons, a demand the group has consistently resisted. Kushner noted that while Hamas expressed willingness to cooperate, the challenge lies in ensuring that such commitments translate into tangible action. “The time will tell whether that’s going to be implemented,” Kushner stated. He emphasized that the U.S. is nearing a decision on whether to proceed with the next phase of the plan, citing “significant progress” toward achieving the goals. However, he warned that failure to act would result in increased U.S. backing for Israel, potentially leading to a military operation to enforce compliance. “If they don’t follow through now on their commitment, everyone will see that they’re not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the U.S. and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way,” he said. This warning comes amid continued hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Despite an October ceasefire, Israel has conducted air strikes and expanded its territorial control in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas has refused to relinquish its arsenal, maintaining a stance that contradicts its public commitments. Kushner’s visit to Cairo marks his second known direct engagement with Hamas, underscoring the urgency of the situation. In Jerusalem, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the implementation timeline of the peace roadmap. The core disagreement remains between Israel’s demand for full demilitarization before any further withdrawals or reconstruction efforts and Hamas’s insistence that withdrawal and disarmament should occur simultaneously. Netanyahu, facing political pressures ahead of upcoming elections, has shown caution regarding phased compromises, rejecting Trump’s latest proposal that would allow partial Israeli troop withdrawal contingent on Hamas’s disarmament. Meanwhile, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made controversial remarks suggesting that additional Palestinian casualties in Gaza are necessary to achieve stability. In a live-streamed podcast, Ben-Gvir proposed targeted killings of up to 40 individuals per night, arguing that some Gazans do not deserve to live. His comments drew condemnation from Iranian officials, who accused him of advocating both the expulsion of Palestinians and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the region. These tensions underscore the complex dynamics at play in the region, where diplomatic efforts are constantly challenged by conflicting priorities and deep-seated mistrust. As Kushner prepares to meet with Netanyahu and other key figures, the outcome of these discussions will likely shape the trajectory of the Gaza conflict for months to come.
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