Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former envoys under President Donald Trump, expressed feelings of betrayal regarding Israel’s airstrikes in Qatar that targeted senior Hamas leaders while negotiations were ongoing. In an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Witkoff described the situation, stating, “I think both Jared and I felt, I just feel we felt a little bit betrayed.”
The strikes, which occurred on September 9, 2023, have been framed by Witkoff as detrimental to diplomatic efforts. He noted that the Israeli actions undermined the confidence of key negotiating partners, particularly Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. “The attack had a metastasizing effect because the Qataris were critical to the negotiation,” Witkoff explained.
Kushner added that he believed the Israeli government was acting excessively, stating, “It was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests,” referring to Trump’s reaction to the airstrikes. The former aides learned about the strikes the morning after they occurred, which took place as Hamas continued to manage ongoing hostilities with Israel.
Israel’s Military Actions and Their Impact
The airstrikes, led by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), targeted individuals who had reportedly directed Hamas’s operations for years. These officials were implicated in the October 7, 2023, attacks that resulted in significant loss of life and have played a role in the continued conflict with Israel. According to an IDF statement, measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions.
Despite the strikes, it is believed that most Hamas leaders survived the incident. One of the targeted officials, Khalil al-Hayya, later met with Witkoff and Kushner in Egypt to solidify a ceasefire deal, which was enacted on October 10, 2023. This agreement has resulted in the return of all 20 living hostages held in Gaza, although 18 bodies remain unreturned.
The fallout from the airstrikes has illustrated the complexities of Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly in relation to Israel and Hamas. Witkoff emphasized the challenges in negotiations following the attacks, highlighting that Hamas’s leadership went underground, complicating efforts to reach a resolution.
This situation underscores the delicate balance that diplomatic envoys must maintain when navigating international relations, especially in regions fraught with conflict. The full interview with Witkoff and Kushner will air on Sunday, providing further insights into their experiences and perspectives on this high-stakes negotiation.
