Witkoff and Kushner Express Betrayal Over Israel’s Qatar Strikes

During an interview that aired on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner revealed their feelings of betrayal regarding Israel’s airstrikes in Qatar on September 9, 2023. The strikes targeted senior Hamas leaders while negotiations with the group were ongoing. Witkoff stated that both he and Kushner felt “a little bit betrayed” by Israel’s actions during a sensitive diplomatic period.

Kushner elaborated on the situation, expressing concern that the Israeli government was acting irresponsibly. “I think he felt like the Israelis were getting a little bit out of control in what they were doing,” he said, referring to former President Donald Trump‘s reaction to the strikes. The airstrikes were seen as counterproductive, particularly because they risked undermining the crucial role of the Qatari government in the negotiations with Hamas.

The airstrikes, conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), targeted individuals who had directed Hamas operations for years. According to an IDF statement, these leaders were directly responsible for the heinous October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The military emphasized that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions.

Despite the precision efforts, it is believed that most Hamas leaders survived the attack. Witkoff noted that the strikes had a “metastasizing effect,” leading to a loss of confidence among Qatari officials, which complicated ongoing negotiations. “We had lost the confidence of the Qataris,” he explained. “And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them.”

Witkoff learned about the strikes the morning after they occurred. The full interview is set to air on Sunday, providing further insights into the complexities of U.S. negotiations with Hamas and the impact of international military actions on diplomacy.

Following the airstrikes, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official who survived, met with Witkoff and Kushner in Egypt. This meeting was pivotal in finalizing a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2023. As part of the deal, all 20 living hostages held in Gaza were returned to Israel, although 18 bodies of those killed remain unaccounted for.

The developments underscore the precarious nature of Middle Eastern diplomacy, where military actions can have deep ramifications on negotiation dynamics. As the situation continues to evolve, the long-term effects of such strikes on U.S.-Middle East relations remain to be seen.