Jared Kushner expected in Israel next week to push Gaza disarmament plan - report

Jared Kushner, son-in-law and close adviser to US President Trump, is expected to travel to Israel next week for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at advancing a US-backed plan for Hamas to disarm.

Kushner is expected to be accompanied by Nikolay Mladenov, the Peace Council’s envoy for Gaza, although the exact date of the visit has not yet been finalized.

The visit comes as Washington seeks to move the plan forward after Hamas accepted the US-backed disarmament framework two weeks ago. Implementation has since faced obstacles, particularly over Netanyahu’s opposition to provisions calling for a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

An American official confirmed to AP news that Kushner’s potential visit is under discussion and said it reflects the administration’s efforts to advance a political settlement in Gaza. “The US and Israel agree on the desired outcome in Gaza. We share many other points of agreement and concerns on which we will continue to work together,” the official said.

Kushner and Mladenov are expected to press Israel to restore the pause in strikes in Gaza and fulfill humanitarian commitments made under the October 2025 ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The Peace Council believes that implementing those commitments could pave the way for Hamas to begin handing over its weapons.

Such a shift could prove politically difficult with Israeli elections scheduled for October 27. Kushner and Mladenov are reportedly frustrated by the prime minister’s public opposition to the proposal.

The trip would mark Kushner’s first visit to Israel since last year, when he participated in mediation efforts that helped produce the October ceasefire and an agreement on the release of hostages held by Hamas.