US envoy Jared Kushner held a crucial meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, intensifying Washington’s efforts to solidify the fragile Gaza ceasefire. The truce, which has been in effect since October 10, 2025, has significantly reduced hostilities following the devastating conflict triggered by Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The initial phase of the ceasefire has seen a series of prisoner and hostage exchanges in recent weeks, marking a tentative step toward peace. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the meeting but withheld further details. Israeli media reported that Kushner’s visit aligns with ongoing US initiatives to stabilize the truce and prepare for its next phase. The second stage of the agreement aims to address highly contentious issues, including Hamas’s disarmament, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas has consistently declared that relinquishing its weapons is non-negotiable. Additionally, plans are underway to deploy an ‘international stabilization force,’ coordinated by US troops, to ensure security across the region.