August 16, 2026. Intensive diplomatic consultations are underway in the Egyptian resort city of El-Alamein, aimed at saving the Gaza peace initiative of US President Donald Trump from collapse. Washington's special envoy, Jared Kushner, held a series of meetings, the key one being a conversation with the political leader of Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya. Against the backdrop of Israel's sharp rejection of the proposed roadmap, the US is attempting to find a compromise capable of unblocking the settlement process.

Critical Meeting in El-Alamein

The negotiations held on Wednesday were a response to the diplomatic deadlock that arose after Tel Aviv rejected key elements of the 20-point peace plan. Jared Kushner, acting as the chief mediator for the Trump administration, met with Khalil al-Hayya to discuss the conditions for implementing the agreement. Director of the Peace Council Nikolay Mladenov also participated in the talks, highlighting the international scale of efforts to stabilize the situation.

The main goal of Kushner's visit is to convince the parties to return to the negotiating table and find wording acceptable to all participants in the conflict. After meeting with representatives of Hamas, the US special envoy held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing Cairo's role in ensuring security and implementing the peace plan in the Gaza territory.

Regional Consensus Against Israel's Rejection

Diplomatic pressure on Israel is growing. Foreign ministers of eight countries — Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt — issued a joint statement condemning Tel Aviv's rejection of the peace plan. Diplomats warned that Israel's unwillingness to make concessions could lead to a resumption of full-scale hostilities and the failure of attempts to stop the war.

At the end of July 2026, the Peace Council for Gaza announced a historic agreement on the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups. President Trump then called this agreement a "significant milestone." However, as became known, in early August, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the proposed plan, putting forward an unequivocal demand for the complete and unconditional disarmament of Hamas, which contradicts the conditions offered by Washington.

Contradictory Data

There is a significant gap in the positions of the parties regarding the conditions of the peace agreement. On the one hand, the US administration and the Peace Council insist on implementing a roadmap providing for phased disarmament and political reintegration. On the other hand, Israel demands immediate and total disarmament of Hamas as a prerequisite for any ceasefire. Tel Aviv refused to support key elements of the roadmap proposed by Washington, considering them not tough enough against the terrorist group.

Furthermore, there are disagreements regarding the timelines and mechanisms for monitoring disarmament. While Arab countries and the US propose international monitoring, Israel insists on the exclusive control of its own security forces, which raises concerns among other participants in the process.

Next Steps and Prospects

Following consultations in Egypt, Jared Kushner plans to hold meetings with other regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is expected that Washington will attempt to convince Tel Aviv of the need for compromise, pointing to growing international pressure and the risks of conflict escalation. The success or failure of these efforts will determine the fate of Trump's peace initiative and could lead either to a stabilization of the situation in the Middle East or to a new wave of violence.