Key facts
- Jared Kushner is set to travel to the Middle East next week.
- Kushner will meet with officials in Israel and Egypt.
- The purpose of Kushner's visit is to discuss plans for ending the conflict in Gaza.
- Kushner's visit aims to advance a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Israeli forces will not withdraw from security zones in southern Lebanon, Gaza, or Syria.
- A deal between Israel and Lebanon regarding a phased withdrawal was contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament.
- Hezbollah has rejected the condition of disarmament.
- The EU welcomed Israel's decision to extend the mandate of its border assistance mission at the Rafah crossing.
- The EU's police training scheme mandate is also extended.
- The extended mandates are in effect until mid-2027.
- The extension aims to improve crossing efficiency and support Palestinian security forces.
Jared Kushner is expected to travel to the Middle East next week for discussions concerning plans to end the conflict in Gaza. His itinerary includes meetings with officials in both Israel and Egypt, with the objective of advancing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal.
In parallel developments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from security zones located in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria. These statements come in the wake of a proposed deal between Israel and Lebanon concerning a phased withdrawal. However, this withdrawal was made contingent upon the disarmament of Hezbollah, a condition that Hezbollah has reportedly rejected.
Separately, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has expressed welcome for Israel's decision to extend the mandate of the EU's border assistance mission at the Rafah crossing. This extension, along with a related police training scheme, will remain in effect until mid-2027. The stated aims of this extended mission are to improve the efficiency of the crossing and to provide support for Palestinian security forces.