Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US-backed Board of Peace agreed to establish two working groups aimed at addressing key issues in the Gaza Strip.
According to Anadolu Agency, the agreement was reached during a meeting in Israel between Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner, and Board of Peace Director Nickolay Mladenov. A statement from Netanyahu's office, posted on the US social media platform X, highlighted the formation of the working groups. The first group will focus on the disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, a process deemed essential by both Israel and the Board of Peace before any reconstruction efforts begin.
The second working group will address sanitation, clean water, and other public health issues affecting the people of Gaza and Israel. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was also reported to have attended the meeting, as cited by The Times of Israel through an unnamed source.
Kushner described his nearly four-hour meeting with Netanyahu as productive, addressing misunderstandings regarding the peace roadmap. He emphasized that the US will not allow reconstruction until the territory is fully demilitarized, reinforcing Israel's right to self-defense against threats. Kushner projected that initial progress could occur within 30 days, with more significant advancements expected in 60 to 90 days. He characterized the deal as beneficial, noting that if Hamas complies, a significant security threat would be eliminated; otherwise, Israel would gain increased support from the US and other allies.
The discussions followed Kushner's visit to Cairo, where he, Mladenov, and Blair engaged with Hamas officials on the same issues. Kushner expressed skepticism about trusting Hamas, given their history, but noted that the group would be judged on their actions moving forward.
The meeting occurs against a backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza. In October 2023, an Israeli offensive in the region resulted in significant casualties, with over 73,000 Palestinians killed and more than 174,000 injured. Despite a ceasefire since October 2025 as part of Trump's peace plan, Israeli actions have continued, causing additional casualties, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry.
The second phase of Trump's plan includes transferring governance in Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic committee, deploying an international stabilization force, and placing weapons under international supervision. Israel is expected to carry out a phased withdrawal to facilitate reconstruction efforts.