US Envoys Express Betrayal Over Israel’s Strikes During Negotiations

During a recent interview, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner conveyed feelings of betrayal regarding Israel’s military actions in Qatar, which occurred while negotiations with Hamas were ongoing. The airstrikes, aimed at senior Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9, 2023, disrupted crucial diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire following escalating tensions.

Witkoff, alongside Kushner, shared their sentiments on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” stating that both felt the Israeli actions undermined their negotiation strategy. “I think both Jared and I felt, I just feel we felt a little bit betrayed,” Witkoff remarked. He emphasized that the strikes had a detrimental impact on negotiations, particularly as key regional players like Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey were instrumental in facilitating dialogue.

Kushner elaborated on the implications of the strikes, noting that they were perceived as excessive by U.S. officials. “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 incident. According to Kushner, the airstrikes had a “metastasizing effect” on the diplomatic process, leading to a significant loss of confidence from Qatari officials.

The strikes conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted individuals who have been pivotal in directing Hamas’ operations, including those responsible for the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when a massacre occurred in Israel. The IDF stated that while measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties through the use of precision munitions, efforts to neutralize Hamas leadership would continue vigorously.

Witkoff learned of the airstrikes the morning after they occurred. He noted that the fallout from the attacks made it increasingly difficult to engage with Hamas, as the group went underground in response to the military actions. “We had lost the confidence of the Qataris. And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them,” he explained.

Despite the chaos, some Hamas leaders survived the attack. Notably, Khalil al-Hayya, one of the officials who escaped, later met with Witkoff and Kushner in Egypt to discuss the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2023. This deal resulted in the return of all 20 living hostages held in Gaza to Israel, although the remains of 18 deceased 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. diplomacy in the region amidst ongoing conflict.