KYIV — Jared Kushner, President Trump's special envoy, stated at a conference in Kyiv on Sunday that Israel's approaching election is complicating U.S. efforts to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza. The remarks came as disagreements continue between Washington, Jerusalem, and Hamas over the proposed roadmap for demilitarization and reconstruction.

Kushner addressed the political dynamics during his appearance in Ukraine. "We're working through some political issues in Israel. I think we agree with them on the end state," he said.

He added that domestic political pressures were influencing decision-making in Jerusalem. "They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards," Kushner said.

Israel is scheduled to hold elections in late October, with polls indicating a tight race between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents. This political uncertainty coincides with stalled negotiations over the implementation of the August peace plan negotiated by the Board of Peace, a group established to facilitate Middle East peace negotiations in which Kushner served as a senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The peace plan calls for Hamas to gradually disarm while Israel simultaneously withdraws from territory it controls in Gaza. However, U.S. efforts to disarm Hamas and facilitate rebuilding in Gaza have stalled during disagreements with Israel and Hamas about the proposed roadmap. A U.S. official stated that Israel had not given guarantees needed to set up a new police force in Gaza. The same official noted that Israel is not meeting its commitments to allow in materials needed for certain reconstruction projects.

Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the peace plan last month, saying Israel would not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, over 60% of Gaza's territory has been under Israeli control since the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, with ongoing military operations limiting access to certain areas. Israel has controlled over half of Gaza's territory since the start of the ceasefire.

Hamas has agreed to the U.S.-backed plan but has resisted any steps to disarm. The group says Israel has failed to hold up its side of the bargain of the ceasefire. Kushner acknowledged the complexity of the security situation on the ground.

"We’re now starting to understand the scope of the militarization of Gaza. It is beyond your comprehension, and so demilitarizing it is not going to be easy," he said.

Nickolay Mladenov, a senior diplomat on the Board of Peace, offered a different perspective on the obstacles to progress. Mladenov said in remarks to the United Nations in late August that Israel's continued airstrikes in Gaza impede getting Hamas' fighters to give up their weapons. Israel has continued to carry out near-daily airstrikes in Gaza since agreeing to a ceasefire in October.

Israel says the strikes are aimed at preventing imminent threats to its soldiers and to foil efforts by Hamas to regroup and rearm. Israel has also continued an operation to kill those who participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas into Israel.

"It only delays the demilitarization that would happen, and it obstructs the civilian transition that should take place to ensure that remilitarization will not be possible in the future," Mladenov stated. Israel has killed at least 1,222 Palestinians since the ceasefire deal was agreed last October, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry.

Kushner's comments in Kyiv were part of a broader diplomatic tour. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow on Saturday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Ukraine on Sunday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks with U.S. envoys as "very substantial."

Why It Matters

The stalemate in Gaza demilitarization efforts shows the complex interplay between domestic politics in Israel and international diplomatic initiatives. With elections approaching in late October, the Israeli government faces pressure to maintain a hardline stance on security, which conflicts with the gradual withdrawal and reconstruction phases outlined in the U.S.-backed peace plan. The disagreement over guarantees for a new police force and the entry of reconstruction materials further complicates the transition from conflict to governance.

The involvement of multiple actors, including the Board of Peace, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, reflects the global dimensions of the conflict. While Hamas has signed agreements committing to demilitarization, its resistance to taking concrete steps and its accusations that Israel is failing to uphold ceasefire terms create a deadlock. The extensive tunnel network and continued military operations by both sides present physical and political barriers to implementing the planned phased disarmament and withdrawal.

What's New

Later reporting provided additional context on the diplomatic and operational challenges facing the peace process. Jared Kushner stated that Israel's approaching Knesset election is making the government 'a little irrational' and complicating Washington's effort to secure Hamas's disarmament. He also noted the scale of the security challenge, stating, "We’re now starting to understand the scope of the militarization of Gaza. It is beyond your comprehension, and so demilitarizing it is not going to be easy."

Kushner revealed that the U.S. had worked with Hamas for more than four months and that the group had signed an agreement committing to demilitarization. He explained the practical difficulties of establishing authority, saying, "You can’t go in if there’s guns, right? You can’t send the government into a place." Historical context shows that in 2024, Kushner was involved in negotiations that led to the U.S.-backed agreement between Hamas and Israel for a temporary ceasefire, which later collapsed due to continued violence and lack of trust between the parties.

Additionally, Hamas has reportedly maintained a network of over 1,500 tunnels in Gaza, according to a classified U.S. intelligence report from May 2026, which reflects the difficulty of demilitarization efforts. The diplomatic itinerary included visits to Moscow on Saturday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and arrival in Ukraine on Sunday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.