US Envoy Meets Hamas Leader in Rare Talks on Gaza Peace Plan

The United Nations estimates that around 1.9 million people, which is about 90% of Gaza's population, have been displaced since the war started.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Jared Kushner has held rare talks with Hamas to discuss the implementation of the US-backed Gaza peace plan.

A Palestinian official told the BBC that Trump's son-in-law met a delegation led

Last month, Trump's Board of Peace said it had reached agreement for the 'complete disarmament' of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Last week, Israel rejected Trump's 15-point plan which also calls for Israeli troops to withdraw and for Gaza to be rebuilt under a new civilian Palestinian administration.

Eight Muslim countries issued a statement on Sunday condemning Israel's rejection.

Trump leads the Board of Peace - created as an international organisation originally intended to bring peace to Gaza, but later expanded to include conflicts worldwide.

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Kushner's meeting with Haniyeh is said to be the first at this level since last year's agreement of a ceasefire for the Gaza Strip.

According to reports, Board of Peace envoys Nickolai Mladenov and UK ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair were also part of the meeting - alongside representatives of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, which have mediated in the peace efforts.

No official statement has been released of the talks reportedly focusing on concrete actions to decommission Hamas's weapons - as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops and humanitarian efforts.

Jared Kushner also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday

Whilst in Egypt, Kushner also met with other officials. According to Israeli media reports, Kushner, Mladenov and Blair will meet Netanyahu on Monday with the aim of advancing Trump's plan.

The Israeli prime minister has said he wants a full Hamas disarmament first in order to implement the deal.