US Envoy Jared Kushner Says Israel Must Help Palestinians “Thrive” for Lasting Peace After Gaza War

US envoy Jared Kushner emphasised that Israel must support the Palestinian people in thriving economically and socially to achieve lasting integration with the broader Middle East following the conclusion of the Gaza war. In a CBS News interview aired on October 20, 2025, Kushner, who played a pivotal role in brokering the Abraham Accords during his previous tenure in the Trump administration, stressed the need for joint security and economic initiatives to foster peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. This message comes amid fragile truce conditions, as fresh Israeli strikes targeted Gaza after accusations that Hamas violated the ceasefire by attacking troops, highlighting the precarious path to regional stability.

Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key figure in Middle East diplomacy, returned to Israel on Monday alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff for meetings with government officials. Their visit aims to advance mediation efforts for a sustainable post-war framework. "The biggest message that we've tried to convey to the Israeli leadership now is that now that the war is over, if you want to integrate Israel with the broader Middle East, you have to find a way to help the Palestinian people thrive and do better," Kushner stated. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges, describing the situation as "very difficult" but expressing optimism for opportunities that would allow both sides to "live peacefully side by side in a durable way."

The envoy's comments reflect a strategic pivot in US policy under the Trump administration, building on the 2020 normalisation agreements that saw nations like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain establish diplomatic ties with Israel, bypassing traditional Palestinian statehood demands. However, the Gaza conflict, which raged for over a year before the October 10, 2025, ceasefire, has intensified calls for inclusive solutions. Kushner criticised Hamas for attempting to "reconstitute and take back their positions", as expected from a terrorist organisation, but argued that introducing a "viable alternative" could marginalise the group and neutralise Gaza as a future threat to Israel. This approach aligns with broader international pressure for reconstruction aid and governance reforms in Gaza, where humanitarian needs remain acute despite the truce.

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On the contentious issue of Palestinian statehood—recognised by most global governments but not by Israel or the United States—Kushner remained noncommittal, noting it was "too early to tell." His visit underscores the administration's commitment to pragmatic diplomacy, potentially involving Gulf states in Gaza's rebuilding to counter Iranian influence. As tensions simmer with recent truce violations, Kushner's advocacy for Palestinian empowerment could signal a nuanced evolution in US-Israel relations, balancing security assurances with economic incentives for long-term peace. Analysts suggest that success hinges on addressing root causes like settlement expansion and blockade effects, offering a blueprint for de-escalation in a volatile region.

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