US President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in an effort to push a Gaza peace plan, following talks with Hamas.
Key facts
- Jared Kushner met with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on 17 August 2026, according to the Guardian citing Israeli media.
- The meeting followed Kushner's talks with Hamas and is aimed at pushing a Gaza peace plan.
- Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of an Iran deal, in comments to Fox News.
- The UN rights chief warned of rising civilian casualties amid escalating hostilities in Yemen.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner began a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on 17 August 2026, Israeli media reported according to the Guardian. The talks were part of an effort to push a Gaza peace plan.
The meeting with Netanyahu followed Kushner’s talks with Hamas, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the Middle East crisis. The reporting indicated Kushner met with Hamas ahead of his discussions with the Israeli leader.
In separate developments reported by the Guardian, Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of an Iran deal. The president made the threat in comments to Fox News while his son-in-law was meeting the Israeli leader in Jerusalem.
The Guardian also reported that the UN rights chief voiced alarm on Monday at the rising civilian toll of escalating hostilities in Yemen, urging restraint and an immediate de-escalation to avoid plunging the country back into full-scale war.
UN rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement, ‘I urge all parties to halt immediately any actions that risk returning Yemen to full-scale conflict.’ His comments came as renewed fighting between Houthi rebels and the government undermined a 2022 truce, according to the Guardian.
The developments reflect ongoing diplomatic and military tensions across the region, with efforts to advance a Gaza peace plan taking place against a backdrop of wider instability.
Why it matters
Kushner's shuttle diplomacy between Hamas and Netanyahu signals a renewed push for a Gaza peace deal, which could shape the trajectory of the conflict. At the same time, Trump's threat against Oman and warnings over Yemen underscore how fragile stability across the wider Middle East remains.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Jared Kushner meet in Jerusalem?
Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on 17 August 2026, according to the Guardian citing Israeli media.
What did Trump threaten regarding Oman?
Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of an Iran deal, in comments made to Fox News, according to the Guardian.
What did the UN say about Yemen?
UN rights chief Volker Türk voiced alarm at the rising civilian toll and urged all parties to halt actions that risk returning Yemen to full-scale conflict, as renewed fighting undermined a 2022 truce.