Israel minister’s Gaza remark sparks fury as Kushner meets Netanyahu

A high-stakes meeting in Jerusalem between Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken place against a backdrop of a stalled Gaza plan and a controversial call by an Israeli minister for more Palestinian deaths in the enclave. The meeting, confirmed by officials, comes as international efforts to secure a post-war framework for Gaza remain deadlocked. No details of the talks were released, but the visit signals continued U.S. engagement in the region despite the lack of visible progress. The controversy intensified after a senior Israeli minister publicly stated that more Palestinians should be killed in Gaza, a remark that drew sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and raised alarm among diplomats. The minister’s office later did not clarify whether the statement reflected official policy, leaving the situation tense. In a separate development, Iran announced it is finalizing a deal with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. The nature of the agreement was not specified, but any change in the strait’s status could affect international shipping and energy markets. Analysts say the combination of stalled peace talks, inflammatory rhetoric, and shifting regional alliances points to a volatile period ahead. Neither the Israeli nor the U.S. side has issued a formal response to the Iranian-Omani announcement.