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The latest news from the Gaza peace talks as Kushner headed to Israel to discuss tactics with PM Netanyahu alongside a delegation from the Board of Peace.
➡️ Israeli armed forces received formal directions on Monday to cease westward expansion beyond the Yellow Line in Gaza, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Envoy Jared Kushner, and Board of Peace Director Nickolay Mladenov.
The tactical boundary serves as the primary withdrawal marker established under phase one of the Trump administration’s framework to conclude the Gaza conflict, and the operational orders now require troops to document any alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, including the authorised use of mobile devices to record evidence.
Originally, the Yellow Line defined in a 20-Point Peace Plan presented last September, allocated control of approximately 50% of the Gaza Strip to Israel, and although Israeli military units have since advanced westward to occupy nearly two-thirds of the territory, the new directive represents the first formal restriction on further progression.
➡️ PM Netanyahu had conditioned any IDF redeployment from Gaza or the initiation of any reconstruction efforts on the total disarmament of Hamas and the complete demilitarisation of the enclave, specifically targeting all light and heavy weaponry along with tunnel infrastructure.
Following the four-hour session, which included former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Israeli officials confirmed an agreement for a United States General to oversee the decommissioning of Hamas armaments as the initial step.
After the Board of Peace informed Netanyahu that Hamas had agreed to disarm and halt military activities, the PM affirmed Israel would honour its outstanding commitments, however, it remained unclear what changes Israel would implement, as officials emphasised that targeted killings of Hamas commanders needed to stop.
Netanyahu claimed progress was being made on the Trump administration’s 15-point ceasefire plan implemented last October, which Israel had rejected despite Trump hailing it as a major breakthrough, as problematic due to upcoming Israeli elections.
While Israel claims to give a tentative path forward a chance to test Hamas compliance, Hamas leadership refuse to disarm unless the process is explicitly sequenced with an end to daily Israeli strikes and a withdrawal of forces currently occupying over half of Gaza.
Jared Kushner spoke to the waiting press following the meeting, saying that weapons handover and related steps could start within the next 30 days, with broader progress (including tunnels) targeted in 60-90 days, while reconstruction would remain conditional on demilitarisation.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office published a statement to X which said that two working groups were agreed to be established, one on disarmament and demilitarisation of Gaza, which both Israel and the Board of Peace were determined should be prompted and completed before any reconstruction happens in Gaza.
A second working group would be established to focus on sanitation, clean water, and other public health issues for the people of Gaza and which also impact the people of Israel.
Kushner told Israeli Channel 15 that all the right things were said during the meeting with Hamas: “It is difficult to trust them, I hope they abide by their commitments within the framework agreement,” he said, adding: “We are committed to rebuilding Gaza, after their disarmament.”
➡️ Simultaneously with the talks in Israel, head of the Hamas Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya conducted a meeting in Cairo with the leader of the Fatah Democratic Reform Bloc, to coordinate the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as well as analysing the developments in the Palestinian arena.
Khalil al-Hayya also briefed leaders of Palestinian factions of the progress of diplomatic engagements held with international mediators and the Egyptian leadership.
➡️ On Tuesday morning, the IDF said that an attack on Khan Younis on Sunday had killed Tareq Anwar Khamis Ra’i, an alleged company commander in the supply unit of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation.
During October 7, Ra’i allegedly infiltrated the Kibbutz Be-eri and took part in the abduction of an Israeli civilian, but recently, he was allegedly seen advancing ‘terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians,’ as with all targets this month, and was allegedly eliminated to remove an immediate threat.
