New Delhi : US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Jared Kushner has said that large-scale reconstruction of Gaza cannot proceed unless the Palestinian territory is fully demilitarised, including the surrender of weapons by Hamas.
Kushner’s remarks came after meetings with Hamas officials and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as efforts continue to advance the Trump administration’s proposed peace framework for Gaza.
According to reports, Kushner said the United States would be reluctant to invest heavily in rebuilding Gaza if there remained a possibility that armed groups could regain control or renewed fighting could once again destroy the infrastructure.
He said Hamas has reiterated its support for Trump’s peace plan and indicated its willingness to give up its weapons, but acknowledged that its actual implementation would determine whether the commitments lead to a lasting settlement.
The question of Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza remains one of the most contentious issues in the negotiations. Israel has maintained that its forces cannot completely withdraw until Hamas is fully demilitarised.
The latest discussions reflect Washington’s effort to advance a broader framework centred on demilitarisation, security arrangements, governance and the reconstruction of Gaza. However, significant differences remain over the sequence and implementation of these steps.