During a recent interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expressed feelings of betrayal regarding Israel’s airstrikes in Qatar that targeted senior Hamas leaders while negotiations were underway. The strikes, which occurred on September 9, 2023, raised significant concerns about their impact on diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions with the terrorist group.
Witkoff stated, “I think both Jared and I felt a little bit betrayed.” This sentiment was echoed by Kushner, who reflected on the Israeli actions as potentially detrimental, saying, “It was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests.” The airstrikes, conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), aimed at individuals responsible for orchestrating attacks against Israel, including the deadly assault on October 7, 2023.
The airstrikes had a wide-reaching impact on negotiations, according to Witkoff, who noted that the Qataris, along with Egyptians and Turks, were critical to the negotiation process. He emphasized that the attacks “had a metastasizing effect,” resulting in a loss of confidence from the Qatari side, complicating efforts to engage with Hamas effectively.
Witkoff learned about the airstrikes the morning after they occurred, revealing the surprise and concern shared by the U.S. negotiating team. He described the aftermath, stating, “Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them.” The IDF later reported taking measures to minimize civilian casualties during these targeted strikes, which involved the use of precision munitions.
Despite the significant nature of the airstrikes, it is believed that most Hamas leaders survived the attack. Notably, Khalil al-Hayya, one of the officials who escaped, subsequently met with Witkoff and Kushner in Egypt to solidify a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2023. This deal led to the return of all 20 living hostages held in Gaza, although the remains of 18 individuals have yet to be repatriated.
The full interview featuring Witkoff and Kushner is set to air on Sunday, providing further insights into the complexities of U.S. negotiations in the region and the ramifications of Israel’s military actions on diplomatic relations.
