Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, two of President Trump’s key negotiators in brokering the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, “felt a bit of bit betrayed” by Israeli airstrikes on Qatar throughout peace talks final month, they mentioned in an unique “60 Minutes” interview.
Witkoff discovered in regards to the strike, which Israel mentioned focused senior Hamas management in Doha, the morning after it occurred. On the time, Mr. Trump wrote on social media, “This was a choice made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a choice made by me.”
“I believe each Jared and I felt, I simply really feel we felt a bit of bit betrayed,” Witkoff advised “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl.
Requested about Mr. Trump’s response, Kushner mentioned, “I believe he felt just like the Israelis have been getting a bit of bit uncontrolled in what they have been doing, and that it was time to be very robust and cease them from doing issues that he felt weren’t of their long-term pursuits.”
In response to Witkoff, Israel’s strike in Qatar impeded negotiations as a result of Qatar was the negotiators’ hyperlink to Hamas.
“It had a metastasizing impact as a result of the Qataris have been essential to the negotiation, as have been the Egyptians and the Turks,” Witkoff mentioned. “We had misplaced the boldness of the Qataris. And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very tough to get to them.”
Lastly, Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal for Hamas to launch all remaining hostages and for Israel to withdraw its forces to an “agreed upon line.” On Monday, 20 dwelling hostages have been launched. Hamas has additionally handed over the stays of different hostages.
Stahl’s full report on “The Dealmakers” is about to air on “60 Minutes” on Sunday. Witkoff and Kushner focus on assembly with Hamas in particular person throughout negotiations. In addition they clarify extra in regards to the subsequent part of the 20-point peace plan, which offers with disarmament, troop pullback, rebuilding and post-war governance in Gaza.