U.S. Middle East Envoy Jared Kushner, son-in-law and chief negotiator for U.S. President Donald Trump, held an unusual meeting with the leadership of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on the 16th (local time) in an effort to advance stalled Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

A source speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that Kushner met with a Hamas delegation including Khalil al-Hayya, who took over as Hamas leader last month, in the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal city of El Alamein, with officials from mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye in attendance.

Another source familiar with the talks stated that Hamas reiterated its commitment to implementing the agreement during the meeting with Kushner.

Photos released by Egypt did not show al-Hayya, but depicted Kushner sitting side-by-side at a table with members of Trump's so-called "Board of Peace," including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Officials from Qatar and Türkiye, key mediators alongside Egypt, were also present.

The meeting was arranged to revive the U.S.-led "15-point roadmap," which centers on the disarmament of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

A regional official explained that Kushner held the meeting to secure commitments from Hamas regarding the roadmap, particularly disarmament, before meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Another source familiar with the talks stated that Hamas reiterated its commitment to implementing the agreement during the meeting with Kushner.

However, the Hamas leadership reportedly demanded that Israel halt its attacks on the Gaza Strip and withdraw beyond the so-called "yellow line" dividing the territory before they begin implementing roadmap steps such as disarmament.

More than 10 months have passed since the ceasefire was established last year, but diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza war still have a long way to go.

Last year, Kushner, Envoy Steve Witkoff, and the Hamas leadership met in Egypt and laid the groundwork for a ceasefire breakthrough, but little progress has been made since due to sensitive standoffs between the two sides over the core issues of Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal.

Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the roadmap last week, in an unusual defiance of Israel's closest ally, the Trump administration.

The roadmap entails Hamas gradually laying down its weapons while Israeli forces halt attacks and withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

However, Netanyahu maintains the stance that Israel will not pull back from any positions inside the Gaza Strip until Hamas is completely disarmed.

Netanyahu expressed opposition to the U.S. peace plan despite receiving assurances from Nikolai Mladenov, a high- representante for the Gaza peace committee, that there is no need to withdraw troops from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip until the complete disarmament of Hamas is achieved.

Kushner is set to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the 17th to revive the peace plan, which has been drifting due to Israeli opposition.

However, with Netanyahu eyeing a general election in October and remaining mindful of right-wing parties in his ruling coalition and conservative voters, it remains uncertain whether Kushner's meeting will yield results.

Earlier, Middle East nations including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pressured Israel by issuing a joint statement condemning Israel's rejection of the roadmap.

Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and ceasefire mediators also joined the statement.

The White House referred questions regarding Kushner's meeting with Hamas to the Board of Peace, but the board did not immediately issue a comment.

The Tony Blair Institute also declined to comment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)