US President Donald Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner said Monday that progress towards disarming Hamas could begin within the next 30 days, as Washington steps up efforts to advance its Gaza peace plan.
Speaking to Fox News in Tel Aviv after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kushner said the process could move quickly, including efforts to remove Hamas weapons and seal tunnels across the Gaza Strip.
“We could be seeing progress… in as little as 30 days,” Kushner said, adding that the goal would be to begin taking weapons out of circulation and filling in tunnels.
The comments came after Kushner and Netanyahu agreed that Hamas would have to be disarmed before Israel redeploys its forces or reconstruction begins in Gaza.
US general to oversee Hamas disarmament
An Israeli official said the two sides had agreed that Hamas would hand over weapons for decommissioning under the supervision of an American general.
The arrangement is intended to provide Israel with assurances that Hamas has genuinely surrendered its weapons before Israeli forces withdraw further from Gaza.
A roadmap accepted by Hamas on July 30 called for weapons decommissioning to be supervised by the International Stabilization Force, a proposed multinational force expected to deploy to Gaza if security conditions improve. The force is led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Hamas has said it is prepared to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body under the proposed framework. However, Netanyahu has remained sceptical of the arrangement.
A Board of Peace official said weapons collected from Hamas would be permanently decommissioned and stressed that Israel would retain its right to defend itself.
Kushner held talks with Hamas
Kushner met Netanyahu in Jerusalem a day after holding direct talks with Hamas representatives in Egypt.
During those discussions, Kushner reportedly pressed Hamas to demonstrate its commitment to disarmament and renounce any future governing role in Gaza.
Hamas, represented by senior leader Khalil al-Hayya, reportedly told Kushner that it remained committed to the broader Gaza plan and urged Washington to put pressure on Netanyahu to implement the agreement.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was among the other members of the Board of Peace involved in the talks.
Netanyahu faces pressure over Gaza plan
The negotiations come as Netanyahu faces growing political pressure ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections.
The Israeli prime minister has increasingly shown willingness to challenge parts of Trump’s approach to Gaza and has also criticised Washington’s decision to end its war with Iran and pursue diplomacy with Tehran.
Meanwhile, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has continued to use hardline rhetoric over Gaza, calling for intensified Israeli attacks in the territory.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog struck a different tone during his meeting with Kushner, praising efforts to advance the Gaza plan and create a more secure future for Israel, Palestinians and the wider region.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 1,265 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began on October 10. The Israeli military has reported five deaths among its forces during Gaza operations over the same period.