Gaza Will Not Be Rebuilt Until Hamas Surrenders, Says US Envoy Jared Kushner

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has said that the United States will not allow the reconstruction of Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.

His statement comes after high-level meetings in Cairo and Jerusalem to save a US-backed peace plan. Kushner stressed that the United States fully supports Israel’s stance on total disarmament before any major reconstruction begins.

Key Details from the Negotiations

The Cairo Meeting with Hamas

Kushner met directly with Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo, Egypt. Hamas agreed to accept a 15-point ceasefire roadmap. Under this plan, the group promised to hand over its heavy weapons to an independent Palestinian technocratic committee.

However, Hamas demanded that Israeli forces stop all attacks and pull back from the territory first.

Talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem

Kushner then traveled to Jerusalem to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu rejected an immediate troop withdrawal. He insisted that Israeli forces will not step back until every weapon, tunnel, and piece of military infrastructure is gone.

Netanyahu also asked for a US general to oversee the surrender of weapons.

US Position and Deadlines

Kushner backed the Israeli position, stating that Washington will not force Israel to pull out prematurely or limit its right to respond to immediate threats.

He outlined a 60 to 90 day timeline for Hamas to hand over its arms and dismantle its tunnels. He warned that failing to do so would prove Hamas is not serious about peace, leading to more international support for the Israeli military.

Casualties in Palestine and Financial Support from the US

Despite the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza Israeli attacks continue. At least 1,265 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began last year. A total of 73,399 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli war since October 2023.

Over the past three years the US has provided Israel with nearly $25 billion in military aid and strong diplomatic support