Kushner has hourslong meeting with Netanyahu on Gaza

Mideast negotiator and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days after the premier rejected the U.S.-backed road map to move the truce deal forward in Gaza.

Jared Kushner, US Mideast negotiator and son-in-law of President Trump, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for several hours on Monday. The meeting occurred days after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed road map to move the truce deal forward in Gaza. The Israeli prime minister had previously stated that the plan did not meet Israel's security needs. No concrete agreements were reached during the meeting, with officials signaling moderate optimism.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a decrease in natural gas production in the region, affecting global energy prices. A prolonged ceasefire could increase gas production, potentially reducing gas prices for consumers. For instance, a 10% increase in natural gas production in Gaza could lead to a 2-3% decrease in gas prices in the US.

The US-backed road map to move the truce deal forward in Gaza is part of a larger effort to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The plan is based on a 2003 agreement, which aimed to establish a Palestinian state and resolve the conflict. However, the agreement has been stalled for years due to disagreements over key issues such as borders and security.

The US is expected to announce a revised plan for the truce deal in the coming weeks. A key date to watch is the upcoming Arab League summit, where Palestinian leaders are expected to discuss the US-backed plan. Notably, Kushner's meeting with Netanyahu was also attended by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who has been a key player in the Trump administration's Middle East policy.