Kushner joins Witkoff for Gaza ceasefire talks as Trump pushes peace plan: 'Cautiously optimistic'
Share this @internewscast.com

President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has once again stepped into the geopolitical arena, landing in Egypt alongside White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday to secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza. 

The presence of Kushner — who has largely stayed out of Trump’s White House during the president’s second term and holds no official role in the administration after previously serving as a senior advisor to Trump — signifies that the U.S. is “serious” about securing a deal between Hamas and Israel, bringing an end to the two-year war and returning all 48 hostages. 

A White House official told Fox News Digital that Kushner, a “major architect of the Abraham Accords,” is an “extremely trusted voice on Middle East policy” and has been in contact with Witkoff throughout the Israel-Hamas negotiations over the last year.

The official said the White House is “grateful” for his expertise as it attempts to secure a deal and end the war this week, and remains “cautiously optimistic” that an agreement will be reached. 

Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin talks to President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Shortly after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the terms before Trump began pushing Hamas to respond. 

Hamas appeared to accept the majority of the proposal over the weekend, though it flagged issues with certain elements of the 20-point blueprint, including the swift return of all the hostages, particularly the deceased hostages, some of whom it says are buried under rubble and, therefore, cannot be quickly retrieved. 

Reports also suggested Hamas took issue with the call for it to completely disarm and flagged distrust that Israel would hold up its end of the bargain by ending its military ambitions in the Gaza Strip once all the hostages are returned. 

Security experts have told Fox News Digital that Trump, after months of backing Israel’s aggressive military strategy in the Gaza Strip, is in a unique position to squeeze Netanyahu and force both sides to the negotiating table. 

Israel continues to hit Gaza

Smoke rises from Gaza City following intense Israeli military attacks on Oct. 5, 2025. (Khames Alrefi/Getty Images)

“It’s absolutely imperative for Israel’s long-term security and, frankly, for Netanyahu’s political future to keep the U.S. and Trump on side,” John Hannah, security expert and Randi & Charles Wax senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, told Fox News Digital. “A flat-out rejection and confrontation with the United States would have been disastrous for Netanyahu as well as for Israel.”

Netanyahu is facing a precarious political front at home with immense frustration by the public over his failure to return the hostages, but also within his own coalition, which sees his negotiating with Hamas as a concession and collapse of his previous stated security aims. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Jacksonville families affected by government shutdown

Impact of Government Shutdown on Jacksonville Families

The owner of Bloom Behavioral Solutions is working to determine how to…
Man convicted of killing a 15-year-old girl in her home in 2001 is executed by injection in Indiana

Indiana Executes Man for 2001 Murder of 15-Year-Old Girl in Her Home

CHICAGO (AP) — An Indiana man found guilty of the 2001 rape…
Palisades Fire suspect held without bond

Suspect in Palisades Fire Case Detained Without Bail

The suspect charged with allegedly causing the deadly Palisades Fire in southern…
Anti-Hamas Gaza militias reject terror group, declare support for Trump’s peace plan

Gaza Militant Groups Oppose Hamas, Voice Backing for Trump’s Peace Proposal

<!–> Anti-Hamas militias in Gaza endorse Trump peace plan Exclusive video from…
Trump peace deal triggers 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza

Trump Peace Agreement Initiates 72-Hour Deadline for Hamas to Release 48 Hostages from Gaza

The official countdown to the return of 48 hostages held by Hamas…
Virginia top cop hopeful torched by police organization over 'reckless' remarks about officer deaths

Virginia Top Cop Candidate Criticized by Police Group for ‘Reckless’ Comments on Officer Deaths

A Virginia police association said even the alleged remarks by attorney general…
Testimony focuses on digital evidence in teen's murder trial

Digital Evidence Takes Center Stage in Teen’s Murder Trial Testimony

The trial’s fourth day focused on digital evidence as jurors reviewed cellphone…
Oklahoma’s GOP governor opposes sending out-of-state troops to states that don't welcome them

Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Against Deploying State Troops to Unwelcoming States

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) — Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who also…
Arizona sheriff's office misused millions meant to remedy racial profiling, report reveals

Report Uncovers Misuse of Millions by Arizona Sheriff’s Office Intended for Combating Racial Profiling

The Phoenix metro area sheriff’s office has been spending millions from the…
UK faces backlash over mandatory Digital ID — could US be next?

UK’s mandatory Digital ID sparks controversy — is the US next in line?

As of Wednesday, over 2.8 million people in Britain have signed a…
Israel Hamas Gaza Ceasefire: Why Skepticism Is Warranted

Skepticism Surrounds Israel-Hamas Gaza Ceasefire: Here’s Why It’s Justified

Israel and Hamas have announced a new ceasefire and hostage deal, with…
Hamas accepts Trump peace plan ending 2 years of war in Gaza, returning hostages

Hamas Agrees to Trump’s Peace Proposal, Concluding 2-Year Gaza Conflict and Releasing Hostages

Hamas has consented to a peace agreement initiated by President Donald Trump…