US Envoy Jared Kushner States Gaza Reconstruction Tied to Hamas Disarmament

United States Special Envoy Jared Kushner has stated that the Trump administration will not permit reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip until Hamas disarms its military capabilities. In a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kushner underscored this position, indicating that discussions did not lead to progress on a proposed roadmap for peace. Kushner remarked in an interview with Fox News, "We have a plan to rebuild Gaza, but we will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until the demilitarisation occurs." He added that there is hesitance to invest in Gaza, which has previously experienced repeated cycles of violence.

Hamas had previously consented to disarmament as part of a US-supported initiative that would also involve an Israeli withdrawal and cessation of attacks on the Palestinian territory. However, Israel has dismissed this proposal, maintaining that no concessions can be expected until Gaza is entirely demilitarised.

In his remarks, Kushner aligned closely with Israeli interests, stating that the US will not inhibit Israel's right to self-defence in the face of potential threats. He outlined the current situation, with Israel conducting frequent military operations in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties. Reports indicate that at least 1,265 individuals have died in Gaza since a ceasefire was put in place last year, with a tally of 73,399 Palestinian fatalities since October 2023, attributed to ongoing violence in the region.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump urged an end to Israeli strikes in Gaza, as he noted that Hamas had agreed to cease hostilities. The US has provided substantial military assistance to Israel, amounting to approximately $25 billion over the past three years, while supporting the Netanyahu administration in various international discussions.

Kushner pointed out that a successful disarmament of Hamas would greatly reduce security threats faced by Israel. He declared, "For Israel, we think this is a win-win situation, because if Hamas actually gives over the weapons and the tunnels willingly over the next 60 to 90 days, that obviously would be the elimination of a huge security threat for Israel."

However, he cautioned that if Hamas failed to honour its commitments, it would reveal a lack of sincerity in their pursuit of peace, potentially resulting in increased backing for Israel from the US and other nations. Kushner recently held a meeting with Hamas officials, describing the interaction as cordial but expressing reservations about trusting the group, given its history. He stated, "They said all the right things, but obviously, it’s very, very hard to trust a terrorist organisation that committed these terrible atrocities." The US continues its diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict, scrutinising actions taken by Hamas closely.