Jared Kushner has joined ceasefire negotiations in Egypt as President Trump pushes a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Kushner’s return to Middle East diplomacy comes as White House envoy Steve Witkoff leads talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, with both sides weighing conditions for a phased ceasefire. Trump remains “cautiously optimistic” that progress is possible.
Although no longer serving in an official government capacity, Kushner’s presence signals high-level engagement and renewed momentum. As the architect of the Abraham Accords, Kushner brings a track record of brokering agreements in the region. A senior administration official confirmed Kushner was asked to assist due to his experience and relationships with regional leaders.
At the center of the talks is President Trump’s 20-point framework, which outlines a ceasefire, full release of Israeli hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of an international governance mechanism in Gaza. Hamas has responded with a conditional agreement, contingent on revised security and disarmament terms. Israeli officials have shown cautious openness but continue to demand that military control over Gaza remain in Israeli hands until full safeguards are established.
Obstacles remain. Hamas refuses to fully disarm, and Israel insists on verifiable security arrangements. Mutual distrust and disagreement over the timeline for implementation threaten to derail negotiations. The plan also includes economic reconstruction initiatives tied to security benchmarks and the removal of foreign militant influence from Gaza.
The Trump administration is leveraging diplomatic and strategic relationships built during his first term to pressure regional actors. President Trump emphasized the importance of protecting Israel’s sovereignty while seeking a solution that neutralizes terrorist threats. Sources indicate he views success in this effort as critical not only for stability in the region, but for American foreign policy credibility.
