Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, two of President Trump’s key negotiators in brokering the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, “felt somewhat bit betrayed” by Israeli airstrikes on Qatar throughout peace talks final month, they mentioned in an unique “60 Minutes” interview.
Witkoff realized 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 call made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a call made by me.”
“I believe each Jared and I felt, I simply really feel we felt somewhat bit betrayed,” Witkoff instructed “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl.
Requested about Mr. Trump’s response, Kushner mentioned, “I believe he felt just like the Israelis had been getting somewhat bit uncontrolled in what they had been doing, and that it was time to be very sturdy and cease them from doing issues that he felt weren’t of their long-term pursuits.”
In accordance with 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 had been essential to the negotiation, as had 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 residing hostages had 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 talk about assembly with Hamas in particular person throughout negotiations. In addition they clarify extra in regards to the subsequent section of the 20-point peace plan, which offers with disarmament, troop pullback, rebuilding and post-war governance in Gaza.
