The diplomatic friction centers on the order of operations for the U.S.-backed plan. While Washington proposes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces concurrent with the surrender of Hamas weaponry, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands complete disarmament before any retreat. Hamas, conversely, maintains that its compliance is contingent upon a verified Israeli withdrawal and a total cessation of military strikes.
This gap is compounded by the high-stakes political climate in Israel. With national elections set for October 27, Netanyahu faces intense domestic pressure to avoid any concessions that could be perceived as a security compromise. Although Donald Trump claimed in late July that a deal for full disarmament had been reached, the conflicting interpretations of that agreement suggest that both sides remain far from a functional mechanism for implementation.
Kushner’s direct engagement with Hamas signals a pragmatic shift in U.S. strategy, moving beyond indirect mediation to carry proposals personally between the belligerents. However, the plan faces a profound trust deficit. Israel fears that an early withdrawal would allow Hamas to reconstitute its military capabilities, while Hamas remains unwilling to surrender its arsenal without ironclad guarantees that the Israeli military presence will permanently end.
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