Jared Kushner says Hamas “said all the right things” about peace in Egypt—but warns nothing moves until the group proves it by disarming and taking concrete steps.
Story Highlights
- Kushner links any progress to Hamas disarmament and real follow-through.
- Outlets report Hamas voiced support for demilitarizing Gaza, though details vary.
- Gaza rebuilding and Israeli steps hinge on verified disarmament, not talk.
- Hamas publicly pushed for Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire as part of phase two.
Kushner’s Message: Words Are Not Enough
Jared Kushner met Hamas officials in Egypt and described the talks as cordial. He said Hamas “said all the right things” about peace. He also said trust is low and must be earned by clear actions. He tied progress to disarmament and other steps, not promises. His core point stayed the same across interviews and reports: actions will decide next moves.
Fox News and other outlets quoted Kushner saying it is hard to trust a group behind deadly attacks, and that any next phase depends on verifiable steps. He stressed that follow-through is the test. He warned that if Hamas fails to act, everyone will see it is not genuine about peace. The stance frames the process as conditional. It puts the burden on Hamas to move first in visible ways.
What Hamas Said After The Meeting
Axios reported that Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to disarm and demilitarize Gaza during the meeting, citing a source with direct knowledge. Hamas’s later public statement backed phase two aims like a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, aid, and reconstruction. That statement did not explicitly mention disarmament, showing uneven specificity across accounts.
Middle East Eye and other outlets said Hamas urged the U.S.-backed Board of Peace and mediators to compel Israel to carry out obligations under phase one and approve the phase two roadmap. Hamas also claimed readiness to implement the agreement if Israel begins its part, linking its moves to Israeli steps and outside guarantees.
Disarmament First: The Sticking Point That Drives Everything
Reuters reported that Gaza reconstruction would not begin until Hamas is fully disarmed, even of light weapons. That puts disarmament at the center of the deal’s sequence. Axios added that Kushner pressed for tangible disarmament steps before reciprocal Israeli steps. This makes implementation a step-by-step process, not a leap of faith. It also sets a clear test the public can see over time.
Al Jazeera reported Kushner saying Gaza will not be rebuilt until Hamas disarms. That is a hard line that matches his interviews. It gives negotiators leverage and answers critics who fear empty promises. It also aims to prevent the cycle where money flows while armed groups rearm. The approach fits broader efforts to tie aid and security to compliance that can be checked.
Why This Matters To Americans Tired Of Empty Talk
Americans across the spectrum see a pattern: leaders talk big, results lag, and costs rise. This process tries to flip that script. It links rewards to proof. It demands that a militant group lay down weapons before getting the benefits of reconstruction and political gains. Supporters say this respects victims and protects taxpayers. Skeptics worry that vague promises can return once attention fades.
#NSTworld US President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner said Monday that progress towards disarming Hamas and moving forward with a Gaza peace plan could begin within a month, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. https://t.co/FXd1ahrQ1U pic.twitter.com/xomwxBsl20
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) August 17, 2026
The record still has gaps. Reporters relied on interviews and unnamed sources. No full transcript of the meeting is public. Different outlets stressed different parts of Hamas’s message. Still, the central facts line up: Kushner conditioned trust on actions, placed disarmament first, and tied aid and Israeli steps to verified changes on the ground. The next weeks will show whether words become deeds—or another round of stalled talks.
Sources:
youtube.com, foxnews.com, npr.org, axios.com, nypost.com, aljazeera.com
