Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law, said during a visit to Israel that progress on the demilitarization of Gaza could begin within 30 days, following a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team on the implementation of President Trump’s Gaza plan.
In an interview with Fox News following the meeting, Kushner was asked about Netanyahu’s objections to the Board of Peace roadmap and whether the Prime Minister was being asked to change his position.
“I think that was his perception of the plan as he got it," Kushner said. “I think today we had a very, very good meeting."
Kushner said the meeting lasted almost four hours and included a detailed discussion of the plan.
“I think there were some valid concerns that they raised that we were able to address, and we were able to go through some of the misunderstandings and misinformation that's been out about it as well," he said.
Kushner stressed that the rebuilding of Gaza would be conditional on demilitarization. “We're very committed to the fact that we have a plan to rebuild Gaza, but we will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until the demilitarization occurs," he said.
“Nobody wants to put more money into a place that's gone on for so long only for it to be taken over by terrorists or blown up again."
He added that the plan would not prevent Israel from acting against immediate security threats. “We're also not going to restrict Israel's right to defend itself if there are any imminent threats," Kushner said.
According to Kushner, initial progress could be seen within a matter of weeks.
“We could be seeing progress in as little as 30 days, hopefully on starting to take some of the weapons out and hopefully filling in some of the tunnels as well in the next 60 to 90 days," he said.
Kushner said implementation would require cooperation from both sides, describing the plan as a “win-win situation" for Israel.
“If Hamas actually gives over the weapons and the tunnels willingly over the next 60 to 90 days, that obviously would be the elimination of a huge security threat for Israel, almost an unthinkable achievement," he said. Sources said that US Maj.-Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who heads the International Stabilization Force (ISF) will oversee the transfer of the weapons.
If Hamas does not follow through on its commitments, Kushner said, “everyone will see that they're not genuine about peace," and Israel would then have “a lot more support from the US and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way."
Kushner was also asked about his meeting with Hamas officials and whether he believes the terrorist organization is genuine about peace.
“They said all the right things, but obviously it's very, very hard to trust a terrorist organization that committed these terrible atrocities," he said.
He described the meeting as “very cordial," but stressed that Hamas would be judged by what it does rather than what it says.
“We're going to give them a chance to perform, but it's going to have to be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true," he said.
The interview also addressed negotiations between the US and Iran. Kushner said President Trump has been focused on economic pressure and remains firm that Iran cannot be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“President Trump's been very, very, very clear on why he took the actions he took, which is he believes that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Kushner said.
He said Trump would be prepared to reach an agreement if Iran gives up its ability to create a nuclear weapon, but added that the Iranian regime is currently “not showing any interest in doing something that makes sense for us."
Asked about the main obstacle to an agreement, Kushner replied, “They have to be willing to make a real deal."
“President Trump wants to make a fair deal. That could be a win-win," he continued, adding that Iran must accept “no nuclear weapons and no funding terror in the region."
Kushner was also asked about President Trump’s statement that the administration has a back channel with senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials.
While declining to provide details, Kushner said contacts between the two sides are extensive.
“The conversations between the US government and different areas of the Iranian government in all areas are probably more robust than it's maybe ever been," he said.
Kushner said the dialogue is useful given the lack of trust between Washington and Tehran, but stressed that the sides have not yet reached an understanding.
“President Trump's going to be very patient," he said. “He doesn't want to rush to a deal. He'll make the right deal when the right deal is ready. But we are having very positive and active conversations."