Amb. Barbara Leaf Appears on CNN to Discuss Gaza Peace Deal Negotiations

Arnold & Porter Senior International Policy Advisor and former U.S. Ambassador Barbara Leaf joined CNN’s The Brief with Jim Sciutto to discuss the latest developments in U.S.-led negotiations toward a peace settlement in Gaza.

Assessing the prospects for near-term progress, Amb. Leaf said Jared Kushner's involvement in recent discussions was significant, including his meeting with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. However, she cautioned that the length of Kushner’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and differing U.S. and Israeli accounts of the talks suggest there are “very large gaps still in any operational plan to move forward on disarmament.”

Amb. Leaf said that “Hamas, for the moment, looks like it’s cooperating,” but noted that the true test will come when Hamas is required to hand over its weaponry, highlighting unresolved questions surrounding the scope and mechanics of disarmament. She further remarked that Netanyahu previously rejected a 15-point plan for Hamas demilitarization and has maintained that “everything has to be done and completed” before Israeli forces move back.

She also discussed the political pressures facing Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, commenting that he is “working assiduously to bring his polling numbers up.” She emphasized that Netanyahu appears to see little room for compromise on Gaza, the West Bank, or other issues involving Palestinian affairs as the election approaches.